FOR many years my dogs and I have enjoyed walking in Beetham Woods at Slackhead, near Milnthorpe. There is not only a public footpath running through the woods, but many pleasant tracks that meander through the pleasant foliage and limestone outcrops.

It is sheltered and relatively flat, suiting those with limited mobility. It does become muddy after heavy rain, but most of the time, it is a location for pleasant walks.

For various reasons, mainly to do with my health, I have not been to the wood for several months, but on a pleasant sunny day recently, I set off with my dogs for a short walk.

You can imagine my reaction when I reached my usual parking place to be met with a six-feet high fence, obviously prohibiting access. All the other entrances, except the public footpath, have also been fenced off.

I understand that the woods are part of the Dallam Estate, which has a huge area of woodland at their disposal around the district. I also understand that there was a court case about access to this land a couple of years ago, which eventually came down in favour of the Estate.

However, since then, the woods have been open as usual, with small discrete signs advising people that it was private land and to obey the country code.

Unless improvements have been made recently, the public footpath through the woods becomes impassable after only moderate downfalls of rain due to the formation of a large puddle that floods the path near the entrance from the road to Silverdale.

To a less than able-bodied walker, there is also a large limestone outcrop to contend with on the path itself. Therefore access from the footpath itself can be problematical.

The right to roam act (2001) allows access to land where, I quote, 'There is a local tradition'. Well, I have spoken to other walkers who have used these woods all their lives, in some cases going back 20 years or more.

Surely Dallam Estates understands the public concern that it is gradually closing off all access to their land, except for public footpaths and bridleways.

I believe that there is right to roam in this wood that is established in both history and legislation.

I also believe that the old Brigadier would be turning in his grave; he always listened to public opinion and was generous in his actions.

I appeal to Dallam Estates to engender a little local goodwill and reopen this wood as soon as possible.

Rod Sayers

Milnthorpe

l Editor's note: The Westmorland Gazette contacted the Dallam Tower estate after receiving Mr Sayer's letter and here is a response from its representative.

THE Dallam Tower Estate has, as Mr Sayers states, recently repaired some small gaps in the existing six foot deer fence along Beetham Road near Slackhead.

The area to which Mr Sayers refers is a very pleasant woodland area of significant landscape importance, which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Estate has, in conjunction with Cumbria Police, been working to prevent motorbike trespass from Beetham Road, which has been causing damage to the SSSI. Part of this combined effort has been for the Estate to repair the deer fence.

Access to this woodland and to other parts of the Estate are in the main through the public footpath and bridleway network. Cumbria County Council monitors these Public Rights of Way and is responsible for the maintenance of their surfaces.

Over the years the Estate has also made available a number of concessionary footpaths and one that may be of interest to the less mobile in the community is the one along the sea wall at Arnside, together with the free disabled car park.