Cyclists' opposition to forest sell-off gathers pace

The Government’s plans to sell off England’s publicly-owned forests have encountered stiff opposition from cyclists, horse riders and others concerned about the perceived threat to public access.

The plans involve the disposal of 258,000 hectares of public forests but the Government maintains that public access will be enshrined in the terms of the sell-offs. However, last week the Telegraph claimed that about 15 per cent of the woodlands will not be covered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) assurances about public access.

A Defra spokesman told the ‘paper: "You are right to say this 15 per cent being sold off will not have the same guarantees of access that the land has at the moment."

The Department will be able to sell off 15 per cent England’s Forestry Commission-managed public forests without the need for legislation. The remaining 85 per cent is the subject of a consultation process currently underway.

With many parents unwilling to allow their children to ride bikes on public roads, forest tracks are seen as a safe environment in which to introduce them to cycling. Among other fears about public access is the concern that an increasingly sedentary young population will have an option to take exercise in the fresh air taken away from them

The campaign against the sell-off appears to be gathering pace with MPs from the three main parties and celebrities including Melvyn Bragg joining the chorus of disapproval against the Government’s plans.

Around 333,000 people have signed an online petition to resist the sell-off, using the website 38 degrees.