Shropshire Star

Anger at 4x4 drivers tearing up Ludlow hillside

Off-road enthusiasts are tearing up a protected wildlife haven and heritage area, conservationists said today.

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Titterstone Clee Heritage Trust wants anyone with information to come forward as large 4x4 vehicles have been spotted trespassing on the historically important south Shropshire hill, with the ground left churned up by their tyres.

Glyn Barratt, an archaeologist and co-founder of the trust, said it was all too common and called for action over the damage to protected areas of the hill near Ludlow.

Speaking on Tuesday, he said: "There were 4x4s ripping up the hill again this afternoon.

"Yet again it's on private land, a registered common, a Special Site of Scientific Interest and a nationally important scheduled ancient monument.

"Damaging the above is a criminal offence which can carry six months in jail or a substantial fine and confiscation of the offending vehicle. But to the idiots in tuned-up, big-wheeled 4x4s it's a place to trash with no regard for anybody else and no respect for the land itself.

"A prosecution for this blatant trespass is well overdue."

The heritage trust was formed to protect, preserve and enhance the industrial and social heritage of the Titterstone Clee Hill and more recently joined forces with other countryside and conservation bodies to form the Clee Hill Heritage Partnership.

The area is rich in rural and industrial history with sites including a pioneering Victorian-era 'hydro-power' scheme at Benson's Brook and the 19th century Field and McKay dhustone quarry buildings on Titterstone Clee summit.

Alf Jenkins, an author, historian and former teacher who founded the heritage trust with Mr Barratt in 2006, said: "This been going on for a long time now. I know for a year or two 4x4s have been using parts of the hill, certainly up by the old quarry.

"Now is the time of year that they start going out an doing it again. The concern is that they are disturbing nesting birds and Shropshire Wildlife Trust are also concerned. They are also doing damage around historical artefacts up there.

"Obviously its off-roading, people are doing it for their own pleasure and probably are completely unaware of the damage they are causing or that it is actually private land."

Anyone with information about illegal off-roading activity is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101.

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