Poor fencing ‘puts Forest lives at risk’ (From Thisisdorset)

Poor fencing ‘puts Forest lives at risk’

7:00pm Friday 19th March 2010 in

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MOTORISTS and livestock are at risk if landowners fail to maintain forest-edge stock-proof fencing says the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association.

The organisation’s chairman Dr Graham Ferris told the New Forest Verderers’ Court of “irresponsible landowners and other authorities who continue to ignore their obligations to erect and maintain” fences where their land joins the open forest.

“It may not always be obvious, but often inadequate fencing next to open forest can lead to depastured livestock straying onto the main roads via private property or roadside verges,” he said.

“The consequence may imperil the lives of not only the livestock but also motorists and other road users.”

He said if people believe they are saving money by not renewing or repairing fences “they should refect on the potential liabilities arising from straying stock colliding with vehicles”.

He cited Elmers Court country club at Lymington where ponies grazing on the marshland stray into the club’s grounds and then onto Lisle Court Road and South Baddesley Road.

Official Verderer Oliver Crosthwaite Eyre said: “As you know we are 100 per cent behind you.”

He said forest-edge landowners had a legal responsibility to ensure their fences were maintained.

“It’s timely because there are some gaps beginning to appear, which is extremely worrying.”

After the meeting Verderers’ clerk Sue Westwood said some landowners in the Waterside area and another in the north of the New Forest were also at fault.

“We’ve just about had enough of it,” she said.

Elmers Court general manager Jean-Marc Poumel said he had been unaware of the legal requirement and realised the fencing “had been neglected for a few years”.

“They [Verderers’ representatives] have been in touch with me already. We are getting quotes for all the boundaries to be re-fenced,” he said.

“We have one quote and we are waiting for another one and we will send them up to head office and then we will get on with the work.”