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Incorrect information - Dog Walker (3rd Apr 2020 - 08:29:45) Has anyone else stopped walking dogs at Bramshot Common (Ontario) ? Signs have been placed that claim you are unable to enter if you've driven to the Common. I was unsure if youths had mischievously placed the signs for fun as they look as if a bored teenager of made them in their living room. The "multi coloured" information is also completely incorrect with regards to making a journey in a vehicle to walk your dog. Matt Hancock himself explained the situation during questioning on BBC's Question Time (Thur 2nd Apr) People have used the common for years to walk dogs with the large percentage being of the older generation. For some walking the dog is the only relief from the stresses we're all under. Please before someone is rude or negative the Common is large so all of the government guidelines could be followed regarding social distances etc and I'm only asking a question.

Re: Incorrect information - [removed] (3rd Apr 2020 - 11:37:17) January 2021 - This poster has requested that all their contributions be removed from Talkback. Other posts after this notice may no longer flow properly.

Re: Incorrect information - T (3rd Apr 2020 - 12:14:32) The signs have been placed there to stop people using the common who are driving there to use it , you can still use it if you arrive by foot. “Various police forces’ have stated that member of the public should not be driving somewhere with the intent of doing exercise or walking their dog – and with new powers being granted to police to arrest those who ignore lockdown rules, you should follow the rules from the police” Dog walking is being counted as exercise and should be completed from your house, not driving to a location . This information is not incorrect and if you choose to ignore it you could face a fine. But most people seam to be still using the common so obviously the information provided by the government and the signs are not working. The attitude of “ never see any police around Liphook anyway” Is clearly being used by most people.

Re: Incorrect information - Paul Robinson (3rd Apr 2020 - 12:25:35) Having read carefully the notices suspended from the incident tape, erected allegedly by the Military Police, at the access points onto Bramshott Common (Ontario) I am of the opinion that that this in no way affects the public's right to walk or ride on this land. I believe that these signs were erected by Landmarc Property Services who manage this land on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. They have made it perfectly clear over the years that they are unhappy with the degree of access that the public enjoys on Bramshott Common (the clue is in the name) Landmarc have no jurisdiction over vehicular traffic on the approach road which is a public highway. In short, if the civil police force wish to curtail senior citizens driving up to Bramshott Common to walk their dogs while maintaining social distancing then they might like to take advice from Matt Hancock Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Re: Incorrect information - Dog Walker (3rd Apr 2020 - 12:29:48) Zoe many thanks for your reply, I hope you're well.

Re: Incorrect information - er (3rd Apr 2020 - 13:19:44) I'm starting to think that the problem is we all must have the attention span of a gnat. The government has told us all not to take any unnecessary journeys and it's taken a lot of people till now to get it. Meanwhile of course many others who did get it but have seen others not getting it, will be wondering why they're the ones who are cooped up at home and will now be considering venturing out somewhere nice again. Others will follow, the weak link in all of this is people and their attention span! So the advice is clear as T says, (actually I think this is law, but it's a bit of a grey area even to the police and courts!): Don't drive anywhere unless you need to. Don't even drive somewhere to walk! You should walk only within walking distance, not driving distance of your home, a car should not be necessary for walking. This is to avoid: a) People congregating at popular walking areas (ie parks, commons etc), because if we can drive to walk, folk being folk, will choose to walk in the most crowded places, identified by having a car park, a footpath, a nice view and an open gate (the latter will be optional to most people). b) Reducing the risk of car accidents or breakdowns, which may then require some kind of emergency response, creating unnecessary contact between various people, putting each other at risk and strain on virtually non existent A&E services, so although MOTs have been extended for cars, this does not mean they should be used for non essential journeys such as walking. Anyway, that's how I read it. PS can I ask all those people who still choose to use their cars or more usually, SUVs to walk their Chloes and Bellas and Peanuts etc in the fields near me, to please, not stand by the entrance gate having a chat with each other, I'm not sure what's so urgent you can't use the phone or something, so please just move away from the gate so I don't have to squeeze past as if I don't exist, thanks! Oh and if Precious won't come back please don't spend the entire time screeching out it's name at the top of your lungs, it kind of diminishes the relaxing walk for me, especially when at the other side of the field mumsy is desperately trying to get Molly and Minny to listen to her, how they ignore her I don't know, she terrifies me ha ha!

Re: Incorrect information - Mary (3rd Apr 2020 - 13:56:13) That last post is incorrect. The health minister said that of course it is fine for people to drive a couple of miles if there is then the expectation that they can walk where it is unlikely they will come into contact with others. Older people may not be able to walk two miles to get to such a place if they are less mobile. He said that mental health and exercise were also important as well as not catching or spreading infection.

Re: Incorrect information - Jen (3rd Apr 2020 - 14:14:46) Bramshott Common is still used for cadet training. I've often seen coach loads of them being dropped off for an overnight or weekend exercise. The usual clue that an exercise is going on is the portaloos that appear. Obviously no training of that type is likely during the lockdown though. I see from the ordnance survey map that Bramshott Common has a couple of rights of way running through it. Is the entire area open access land? Paul's comment implies that it is - unless he's confusing the term "common" with the term "public"? Common land is usually privately owned land upon which some local householders hold commoners rights to graze animals or to collect wood. The term "common" has no meaning in terms of public access.

Re: Incorrect information - liz (3rd Apr 2020 - 14:19:16) er You shouldn't be "squeezing past" anyone.

Re: Incorrect information - er (3rd Apr 2020 - 14:32:27) Well liz, that was my point! Mary, thanks for clarifying that, on balance it is probably a sensible compromise.

Re: Incorrect information - Jay (3rd Apr 2020 - 14:47:44) Common land may not infer automatic right of passage, but I think you will find there are public rights of way through all common land, as well as much of the (privately owned) countryside.... ie public rights of way and footpaths. This right is unique and hard won in our country, and not to be given up for anything, even coronavirus, which will be gone in a year or so. The freedom to walk through beautiful countryside does not exist in many other countries. We need to defend our rights against private landlords who would happily fence off our countryside.

Re: Incorrect information - JOE (3rd Apr 2020 - 14:59:28) T are you quoting from the coronavirus legislation recently voted on in Parliament.? Various people and various police forces are choosing to interpret this differently. The legislation does not ban people from using their cars. There are a lot of people still working ie gardeners, builders, window cleaners all using their cars with impunity? All not essential journeys, people driving to shops post offices etc, so a degree of common sense should be used. There is not a law on people having more than one walk a day but it is the social distancing including not parking car too close to another! and not visiting relatives and friends which is more important.

Re: Incorrect information - Dog Walker (3rd Apr 2020 - 15:19:28) I really appreciate all of the input and think I'll follow Mr Hancock's advice, thanks again hope you all stay safe and well

Re: Incorrect information - [removed] (3rd Apr 2020 - 15:22:48) January 2021 - This poster has requested that all their contributions be removed from Talkback. Other posts after this notice may no longer flow properly.

Re: Incorrect information - Dog Walker (3rd Apr 2020 - 18:56:35) I really appreciate all of the input and think I'll follow Mr Hancock's advice, thanks again hope you all stay safe and well

Re: Incorrect information - Jenny (4th Apr 2020 - 12:43:37) Not only are there signs on Ontario - Bramshott Common but now the car park is closed the other side of the A3, also Bramshott Common (behind the new BMW build where Spaniard used to be)it has an iron gate across it with the same sign as the Ontario side. It seems so silly as surely it is safer for dog walkers to walk their dogs on open common so they can keep to the 2metre distance; if everyone has to go from home they are then on narrow pavements and have to leap out into roads to avoid people.

Re: Incorrect information - Dog Walker (4th Apr 2020 - 17:39:37) Jenny, The signs have now been removed from Bramshott side though unfortunately there is still white tape remaining in some areas. It seems whoever placed the signs realised the information was wrong.

Re: Incorrect information - Dog walker (4th Apr 2020 - 21:31:32) Does this mean that I cannot drive to bramshott to walk my dog.

Re: Incorrect information - Mary (5th Apr 2020 - 13:13:47) Mr Hancock stated on Question Time quite clearly that of course you may use common sense and drive a short way to get to a place where you have an expectation of taking your exercise where you are unlikely to encounter others. We are old and very careful. We drive two miles and walk for half an hour rather slowly. I have never seen more than two people at any time and everybody is careful to alter direction in order to avoid others. I cannot walk easily on pavements as they do not cushion my joints and hurt me.

Re: Incorrect information - Jenny (5th Apr 2020 - 16:09:59) Thank you Mary, I think we have to all be sensible. They are just trying to prevent people driving miles and miles to take exercise. In France however, you are not allowed to take a walk further than 1km from your home. So we are lucky.

Re: Incorrect information - Jim (6th Apr 2020 - 16:59:06) Dogs in open spaces should be on a lead as the virus can be transferred on dog fur. See gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces Also Bramshott Common in a SSSI and hence dogs must also be on a lead anyway during ground nesting bird season which we are now in.

Re: Incorrect information - Dog Walker (6th Apr 2020 - 17:50:25) Extract from GOV.UK link. There is no evidence of coronavirus circulating in pets or other animals in the UK and there is nothing to suggest animals may transmit the disease to humans. Lets all make sure we don't worry people unnecessarily and follow Government guidelines Stay safe everyone

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