New barriers at Sherwood Forest to stop fly-tipping

Parts of Sherwood Forest have been subjected to fly-tipping

New deterrents are being put in place to keep a Nottinghamshire beauty spot safe from fly-tipping.

Newark and Sherwood District Council has worked with Forestry England and Nottinghamshire County Council to bring boulders and barriers to the entrance of Sherwood Forest at Deerdale Lane and Eakring Road, between Mansfield and Newark.

A statement said the "industrial-scale" issue has also resulted in the district council creating a new public space protection order (PSPO) so it can "help to preserve and protect the community and promote responsible behaviour".

Cyclists and walkers will still be able to access the site.

The council said PSPOs can be used to "address specific issues such as dog fouling, littering and anti-social behaviour", which can lead to fines for anyone not abiding by the rules.

Paul Peacock, the authority's leader, said: "Sherwood Forest is known throughout the world and we want to do what we can to keep it well preserved and rubbish free for communities to enjoy.

"These extra measures in place will make it difficult for fly tipping to happen in this area again and we hope to see the recovery of flora and fauna that was once there."

Rubbish clearance will take place in Sherwood Forest throughout next year, with some sites inaccessible due to poor ground conditions during winter and certain types of waste requiring specialist removal.

Lizzie Hartshorne, recreation operations manager at Forestry England, said it backed the PSPO being introduced around Eakring Road.

"This location has been a persistent problem area for fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour, including fires and the illegal use of off-road vehicles," she said.

“These activities have often impacted our neighbouring Sherwood Pines, causing damage to the woodland and posing a risk to our visitors.

"We believe the PSPO will help reduce these issues and ensure a safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone."