Just received this email form our new friend at Clintons Devon about illegal or it might be legal riding on the commons as members of the public are not always aware of the correct legal roads to ride
Activity could be around Woodbury castle reports aren't totally clear! Give us shout if you've seen or heard of any illegal activity please or it might be someone just not knowing that a group were riding the legal "Mansell's rut"
Hi Ian
We have had some complaints about motorbikes on the heaths on Sunday afternoon. It sounds like if was not on unmetalled roads but rather just the heathland tracks near the castle and so not a right of access for private vehicles. I just wondered whether you had heard about anyone going up there. Or if it was actually your group making use of the correct access route by Woodbury Park but people not being aware that vehicles have legal access there. Any info greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Kim
Kim Strawbridge
Pebblebed Heaths Site Manager
My response to Kim
Hi Kim
Great to hear form you!
Im not aware of any unlawful activity on the commons nor have I heard anyone in the trail riding world being spotted or stopped on the legal UCR we cleared, Ill post this message on our Devon TRF forum to see if anyone has heard of any shenanigans around this area.
As I said to you on the clearing day the over populated area has kept me away from using the commons for what ever reason as I just feel its oversubscribed
We had an incident a few years back where the police had stopped legit DTRF motorcyclist at the entrance to the UCR we cleared, unfortunately the police only receive limited training on PRoW issues so consequently they hadnt realised this UCR was legal. One of our members volunteered to meet the police at their station to enlighten them on legal green roads in the area, all parties were well impressed with the results!
We could do a Joint educational weekend at one of the carparks if you have the time Kim? Trouble is theres not a lot we can proceed with if the members of the public dont get a number plate (If they have one displayed) could be a non registered for the road dirt bike or small pit bikes, we had them on the local Bridleways in Sidmouth a couple years back.
Hi Ian, 2 friends and i were close to the area on sunday,we did encounter 6/7 riders twice that day,fast group they were. non Trf,but didnt recognise anyone.All had number plates if remember.. me.
-- Edited by crumbles on Monday 26th of November 2018 09:37:41 PM
Probably the same ppl,we first saw them, when we came down from the view point ,when you come up past the Golf course and drop down the lane towards the top of Four Elms, Also about 20 + East Devon Ramblers going up to view point from 4 elms,we warned them about them, we stopped on the way down and let the Ramblers pass and they were most gratefull....
(Who stole all the wood we cut up then !! )
-- Edited by crumbles on Tuesday 27th of November 2018 09:42:16 AM
i did notice a couple of them had trf stickers on thier bike (might not mean much )
Thank you for your reply and information stickers or no stickers there's not a lot people can do about the situation unless number plates are reported
The single biggest problem will be ALL trail riders will get tarred with the same brush even riding legally
I Volunteer on parish paths locally in Sidmouth, I've been educating people about trail riding within the group I volunteer for as we see and hear bikes from FP's BW's + yes green roads we work on too
Its very TUFF to uphold the righteous side when your working on a Bridleway and legal dirt bikes pass by (TWICE) cos the way ahead is blocked by a gate
Don't forget there are horses + mountain bikes on the incorrect public rights of way
