Views sought on dog control at Shropshire landmark
Visitors to a Shrewsbury beauty spot are being asked for their views on how to tackle the problem of dog mess and out of control pets.
The Forestry Commission manages Haughmond Hill, near Shrewsbury, for people, wildlife and timber. And each year approximately a quarter of a million visits are made to the site, which is particularly popular with dog walkers.
But in recent months, the Forestry Commission has received complaints from visitors, those with and without dogs, regarding dog fouling and behaviour around the site and specifically in the busy area around the car park and café.
They should, so far as practical, be for all Salopians and when the activities of one group interferes with the enjoyment of another, then a middle way should be sought.
And so it is with that vexed issue of dog walkers, and those others who have to look where they tread and may be wary of loose dogs.
On Haughmond Hill, which is managed by the Forestry Commission, there have been complaints about dog fouling and their behaviour around the site. The complaints have not just come from people without dogs.
The commission is consulting the public on the way forward, with the idea of having a dog-on-lead zone in sensitive areas like the cafe and for the first 400 metres of the walk.
It has now reached such a level that the Forestry Commission feels that they need to make a bold move to ensure that everyone can enjoy their visit to the popular woods.
And they are now running a consultation with members of the public proposing a dog-on-lead zone around the car park for dog walkers, café, play features and the first 400m of each of the trails through the woodland.
They feel that the measures will help to resolve issues including safety for dogs in the car park, conflict arising between motorists and dog owners, hygiene and disturbance issues around the picnic tables, dogs running in and out of the café, conflict between dogs, children and vulnerable people being frightened and dog fouling going unnoticed.
The consultation will run up until January 16 2015 to give as many people as possible the opportunity to contribute their views.
Once the Forestry Commission has had an opportunity to consider all the comments, they plan to announce their findings and proposals by mid Feb 2015 both on site and online.
To take part in the discussion about Haughmond Hill visit https://dialogue.forestry.gov.uk/haughmond-hill-dog-management/home?sort_order=rated
