Future for Savernake Forest – no cars allowed in?

Earlier this month – on 8 March – marlborough.news published a piece about Forestry England’s plan for Savernake Forest – ‘Our Shared Forest’ – which was described as ‘a project to reshape and redirect Forestry England’s sustainable management of Savernake Forest’. It linked to a consultation website where anyone interested in Savernake could give their views on the proposals, and from where it was possible to view and download the complete ‘Our Shared Forest’ Land Management Plan.

The plan was clear about the vision for Savernake going forward and whilst not everyone would agree with each and every single point raised, it was a positive and forward looking plan designed to look after and maintain what is a real jewel for this area. Looking through the plan it noted that the forest is ‘cherished by local residents and specialists alike’ (few would argue with that), and importantly, it encouraged input from the community, those that use and value Savernake Forest, so that we could all share in the decisions regarding its future.

But nowhere did it either state or imply that the access to the forest would be radically changed. On P32 of the plan, under the heading ‘What are we going to do?’ it did mention Grand Avenue and the need to keep it repaired: ‘The Capability Brown-designed Grand Avenue is one of the most notable landscaped features and requires constant maintenance.’. Further adding: ‘We will explore how we can better protect features such as the Grand Avenue from wear and tear.’

All seemed to imply that maintenance of the main road through the forest was important. And, as has been the case for very many decades, the pothole strewn Grand Avenue has been always difficult to navigate with many holes to avoid that could easily damage wheels, tyres or suspension of any car even if hit one of these obstacles fairly slowly.

However, marlborough.news came across an ‘internal discussion paper’ which proposes something altogether more radical and different. It notes that ‘the biodiversity and aesthetic values of the Forest are poorly served by the unregulated use of the Grand Avenue by the public for recreational access, anti-social activities and using the Avenue as a through route, or ‘rat-run’.

It then further outlines a scenario where the Postern Hill car park is enlarged – to ‘probably 300 to 350 spaces’, and that ‘The redevelopment of Postern Hill would be coupled with the closure of the Grand Avenue, and indeed the rest of the Forest for vehicular access by visitors.’

It even notes that such similar sites to the Postern Hill car park in other destinations are charged rather than free – as this car park is at present. It even mentions ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), which is an accepted way of enforcing charges.

Savernake Forest covers a very large area. The Postern Hill car park is sited at a furthest corner – to the north west of the forest. Sure, users would still be allowed to walk and cycle but how many would venture to some of the more beautiful and important features of the forest that are a long trek from Postern Hill car park?

Marlborough.news asked numerous regular users of the forest about the banning of motorised transport. Whilst there was recognition that the forest had become ‘busy’ during the pandemic, used as an area where people could ‘get away’ in relative safety from catching the virus, it was generally viewed as an unwelcome development were it to be imposed. No-one asked ever thought that Grand Avenue could be regarded as a ‘cut-through’ or ‘rat run’. To cut off what? Possibly Salisbury Road congestion, on a very bad day? But the risk of damage to any vehicle especially even if driving at a slow to normal speed would be great.

It was noted by users that the area around the top of Grand Avenue, Cricket and Hockey Clubs and Postern Hill camp site and car park is already relatively ‘gentrified’, whilst the further reaches of the forest near to and beyond Eight Walks were far less visited. A concern commonly voiced was that by restricting access (for vehicles) to the Postern Hill site, such ‘gentrification’ of this Postern Hill area would become ever more accentuated and marked whilst the majority of the rest of Savernake Forest and many of its important and beautiful features would become unvisited, other than by a few.

Is this what the users of the forest and the community in general want? Savernake Forest is the largest privately owned forest in the country and it is leased to the Forestry Commission, whose management arm – Forestry England – manage and maintain the area. It  is owned by the Earl of Cardigan, his son Viscount Savernake and his family Trustees as ‘Savernake Estate‘.

Such restricted access would mean that anyone who was less than very mobile would have minimal access to this valuable resource. At present anyone can experience the delights of Savernake Forest, they don’t have to walk. In future that might go, something that would be a real loss.

Regarding access to the public, the Savernake Estate website states: ‘Though it is private property, the Forest’s owners permit extensive public access. However, visitors are asked to note that there are NO vehicular rights of way, nor any public footpaths, anywhere in the Forest.’

To maintain its private status (especially to prevent the creation of vehicular rights of way) Savernake Forest’s roads have to be shut on one day a year – usually the first working day of each year – in a joint operation by the Savernake Estate and their tenants the Forestry Commission. On that one day every road into the Forest is physically barriered and all cars are turned away.

Marlborough.news asked Forestry England to comment and Kevin Stannard, Forest Management Director for Forestry England’s West England District said: “As the tenant and manager of Savernake Forest, Forestry England is responsible for nurturing and enhancing every aspect of the forest. The essence of ‘Our Shared Forest’ is to consider how these aspects mesh together to create a sustainable future for this unique place. This means exploring how people continue to enjoy and benefit from Savernake while sharing it with nationally important trees and woodland flora, soils, water, historical and cultural heritage, and wildlife – from majestic birds of prey to microscopic organisms. Our Shared Forest has been developed in consultation with communities and expert stakeholders to outline how we will achieve a careful balance to ensure Savernake thrives throughout the next 100 years and beyond. This will include addressing issues that have negative impact on the forest or which are becoming inappropriate in an age of continuously increasing visitor numbers.”

The consultation is still open – until 5 April – and can be reached by clicking here.