Instead of wasting lottery money on things that don't matter I vote that some of the lottery money be spent on uprating the moors.
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Id like to see a LARGE amount spent on Mountain/Moorland Rescue teams and Search Dogs!! Mind you i am biased 
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 I am fully behind you on that one Wayne! Isn't most moorland in private ownership? (with access rights)
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 Instead of wasting lottery money on things that don't matter I vote that some of the lottery money be spent on uprating the moors.
How do you uprate a moorland exactly?
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for instancew to uprate moorland, there are moorland paths which are eroded by numerous 'boots' so it would be rather nice that these paths are upgraded - not all moors are in private ownership!
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for instance to uprate moorland, there are moorland paths which are eroded by numerous 'boots' so it would be rather nice that these paths are upgraded - not all moors are in private ownership!
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for instancew to uprate moorland, there are moorland paths which are eroded by numerous 'boots' so it would be rather nice that these paths are upgraded - not all moors are in private ownership!
Which moors are totally in public ownership then?
As for the paths, that depends on your point of view, by improving them you encourage further and deeper access (good for those that use only paths) which in turn creates further erosion. By letting the paths fall into disrepair through 'positive neglect policies' you encourage people to take more diverse routes and reduce the impact and the erosion. Same amount of boots - just a suggestion.
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 As for the paths, that depends on your point of view, by improving them you encourage further and deeper access (good for those that use only paths) which in turn creates further erosion. By letting the paths fall into disrepair through 'positive neglect policies' you encourage people to take more diverse routes and reduce the impact and the erosion. Same amount of boots - just a suggestion.
I couldn't agree more fb. In my neck of the woods, the Cairngorm NP are making a big mistake with their footpath policy. People who would go for a couple of hours walk from their cars, with no map or compass, can now get to places they might not have before. Arguably that might be a good thing, but i'm a selfish git, and don't want the hills to get busier.
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I think there is probably room for it if you identify specific honey-pot sectors and direct all 'that sort of people' in the direction of a path. That way you keep the erosion and litter contained and managed - meanwhile leaving everyone else to enjoy the freedom that the remainder of the moorland landscapes brings.
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| Edited: 29/06/08 19:20 |
Re moors being in total ownership - I stand corrected! I am reliably informed by friends who go orienteering that they have to get permission from the 'gentry' and farmers to cross their land! I used to be a walker/climber but lost touch with most things having recently had both legs amputated, therefore I stand corrected on this.
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Then I can see why access paths would be important to you Jan. Access (which is clearly important) doesnt allways go hand in hand with conservation. There is a balance to be struck between a natural environment, freedom, directed and maintained access, enhanced access.
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And my question related to the fact that don't private landowners have the responsibility for the maintenance of their land and cannot they get Government grants for this purpose? Should lottery funds be used to absolve them of their and the Government's responsibilities toward the environment? I can think of umpteen more "worthy causes" who have applied for lottery funding and been turned down as not high profile enough! (Mostly involving disability groups as it happens, I have a servery disabled son who suffers from Cerebral Palsy) I am not "anti" BTW, just asking?
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BTW Jan, I am in total agreement with the comment "instead of wasting money on things that don't matter" in your OP but then, some people like opera!
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 I could go with uprating some of Exmoor to mountain range status. Something Alpine would be good. Could we arrange to move some tectonic plates around a bit?
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