Elstead Independent News

Petition

The on-line petition received 572 signatures from supporters from as far away as Plymouth and Aberdeen! 

• “I am an amputee and would not be able to access the common if there was not a car park and I would not be able to own a dog and have used Hankley Common for the past 41 years.  There was a great deal more military action on the common years ago with parachute jumping etc. “

• “Have visited, horse rode, cycled over the lasts 37 years and wish to be allowed to continue enjoying the countryside.  Family of 3 boys have loved cycling at Hankley.”

• “The common is a very beautiful place throughout the seasons.  It should be considered as a tourist attraction.  Access for public is important.”

• “The one-hour walks from the Dropping Zone are some of the best on Hankley.”

• “Horse access –safe (family accident with horse).  Totally inappropriate approach by Landmarc.  Happy to be involved – lived in Churt 30 years,”

• “In 25 years of regular use of the common especially on horseback I have never been warned off or asked to leave by any uniformed soldier engaged in training.  They have always been friendly and courteous.”

• “The abundance of paths and views and the ability to find a quiet place to gather thoughts is the main reason for my living in Elstead.  It used to be the only reason for living here.”

• “Have used Hankley since 1968 – extensively in my younger days and before that as a serving solider.”

• Have been walking & riding on Hankley for over 40 years, this enjoyment has been mostly ended by the rude Landmarc Ranger. I do not understand why Riders with a permit can the ride on all paths, whereas non permit holders have to stick to bridleways. Can a soldier on a training exercise distinguish between the two?! Or will the permit holders soon find that the terms & conditions they have agreed to are to become more restrictive?!

• I would suggest the deployment of "poo bins" in the car park which would encourage people to collect dog mess.      [DONE]

•  Dogs are a problem.

•  I am 80 and find climbing hills difficult, so the present car park at the top of the hill is ideal. Also the surrounding areas at the bottoms of the hills are not negotiable in wet weather. The top of the hill walks are always viable. If money is the real motive, I suggest 50p each car would be acceptable to most people.

• Great walking country, plenty of variety and beautiful views. Soldiers very friendly and professional when we meet them. Pity about the dog mess above the DZ car park. 

• Please don't let this happen - it is such a special place for families to walk on and enjoy. It really would be a tragic loss to us if it was lost for our use. I'm sure some kind of compromise could be found. I totally understand the militaries need to train unhindered. But they can't need to do it 24 hours of every day. 
  Times they are not using it could be used for public recreation and to that end would promote good feeling and goodwill between the army and that would otherwise be lost. Please take heed of the strong feelings running about this. Thank you.

•  I always enjoy visiting Hankley Common. I've never had any problems with any other users (including army), with the exception of occasional dogs not under the owners' control, or dog mess not being removed.

•  We have walked this common for about 40 years, and the closure of the Drooping Zone car park or restrictions to bridleways would be intolerable. We have doubts about the long term plans of the MoD.

•  Troops are friendly and helpful. I have reciprocated by assisting when required with guiding lost cadets. Landmarc staff used to be helpful too. But over the past two years they have become unpleasant and aggressive. It's like they want to make the experience a negative one. Shame on them!

• Having walked and previously cycled Hankley Common for something approaching 55 years I find it particularly sad that the military now consider that this small car park interferes with their training particularly in view of the fact they seem to have no difficulty training on this common when it is being used for cycling events and more recently, what I believe was the "iron man run", when they opened up the whole of the dropping zone bowl area for parking. It’s now being used for a film set but the military seem to be able to work around this perfectly alright. The common is one of the largest pieces of open walking land in the area and, being so open, it is particularly safe for women walking on their own, even the presence of the military helps in this respect. 

• The common is a particularly diverse mix of open heathland and light woodlands and the sight of the heather in bloom is just wonderful, as is watching the sunrise early. It does not take a lot of effort to avoid the military when they are training although it is possible to walk into them unexpectedly when they are well camouflaged even so they are always very polite. 
  I think the situation would be considerably improved if the dog walking fraternity was to make a greater effort not only to clean up after their animals but also to take it away with them, not leave it in the bags dropped alongside the paths. This is particularly noticeable after weekends and some of the worst offenders are the "so called professional dog walkers" who have several dogs with them and cannot possibly watch every dog all the time.
  As a final thought it would be interesting to know, at a period of severe financial restraint which includes the military, what the costs will be in opening up a new car park.