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Local Talkback
Talkback is for the residents and businesses in Liphook to voice their views and opinions about local issues and events.

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Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Rachel (2nd Jan 2021 - 09:00:12)

Such a shame to see 2 quad bikes and a motor cross bike churning up the land used by so many people for walking and enjoyment. Mud everywhere, in the field and along the main track, no care for anyone else.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Jennifer (2nd Jan 2021 - 11:29:29)

I don't understand the mentality of these people. What motivates them? What things are the most important to them in their lives? What kind of environment do they want for their children and grandchildren?

How they can care so little about the natural environment that they are happy to destroy it for the sake of riding aimlessly around an area of open countryside is beyond my comprehension.

This is an environmental tragedy. How can we stop it?

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- George (2nd Jan 2021 - 12:43:52)

These kids are an absolute menace locally. If they're not on Weavers Down, they are wrecking the footpaths and woods near the railway track. If you can do so safely, please report to the police and/or landowner asap.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Rachel (2nd Jan 2021 - 14:13:31)

Just wanted to say, there are a few Rachels on here and the OP was not me! :-)

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Rachel Rabbit (2nd Jan 2021 - 14:20:24)

I have learn't the hard way to keep my comments on Talkback very 'general' so as not to cause any arguments!
Going to add rabbit to my name as I used to run a small mammal rescue years ago and was affectionately known as Rachel Rabbit :-)

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- anon-e-mouse (2nd Jan 2021 - 14:30:01)

This keeps coming up, I suspect it will only get worse with millions new houses and no more facilities. I don't condone illegal riding in any way, but:

It's a bit naive to ask what motivates young people to jump into high powered offroad vehicles with air suspension and 200bhp, put a helmet on and ride with a huge smile across open country, come on!

Any more than they may wonder what motivates the rest of you to spend £3000 on a designer pup, feed it, clean it, pick up it's poo daily and put it in little bags (this step is often missed!), then if you let it off it's leash for a second it will eat someone and you'll be standing by a gate in a field screaming ' COME BACK PETTLE' for the rest of your life!!

To say mud is destroying the land for future generations is perhaps a little overstatement, but there should be dedicated off road trails provided for these amazing sports, within easy reach for the youngsters who may not all have dads with vans, ride illegally and you will lose your vehicle, your licence, get a big fine and a criminal conviction if caught, a high price to pay you will agree, which incidentally is what should happen to dog keepers who break the law, let their dogs poo on pavements or playing fields or don't keep them on a leash!!

I think are a few legal tracks further south of here, but they are quite a distance and this is the first open area most Londoners head to (the Punchbowl and Frensham are better patrolled), also I think many legal tracks are shut now due to Covid, could we set up some sort of share system perhaps on the MOD land to accommodate our young riders, maybe 1 day a week and pay a fee to put right any damage, and cover insurance etc, we could surely give them one dedicated day somewhere local couldn't we?


Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- John (2nd Jan 2021 - 23:17:46)

Please could someone explain why these kids buy/are bought toys they have nowhere to use? What a daft investment. I get the speed thrill, but you can't just get the bike and take it anywhere you fancy. What sort of parent knowingly lets their kid ride off with only someone else's land to ride on? Shame on you.

Of course we are all in a horrible place right now but it is not worse for teenagers than anybody else. We all need open space to keep sane. Trying to negotiate a walk round the carnage left by motorised vehicles on restricted byways helps nobody's mental health.

If anyone cares enough, let's lobby the county councils to get our ancient byways protected and better cared for by rangers

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Keith (3rd Jan 2021 - 10:31:15)

If you check the Hampshire Rights of Way map at maps.hants.gov.uk/rightsofwaydefinitivemap you will see there are a number of byways open to all traffic ('BOATS') across Weaver's Down.

As long as these quad bikes are using BOATS, then while they may be annoying, they are not actually doing anything wrong or illegal, the BOAT designation gives them the right to ride along them.

The only way to stop them is to get the routes downgraded from a BOAT to a bridleway - good luck with that though, first you need to convince our MP and HCC of the need to downgrade it, then you need to get them to agree to do so, then wait for the legal process to take its painfully slow path. Having taken this route in another nearby Parish, and taken nearly 6 years to even get through the first stage of this, my gut instinct would be to say that unless you are really determined and have the stubborness of a dog with a bone, it's really not worth the effort and heartache.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- M (3rd Jan 2021 - 11:15:11)

Re Keiths comment.
A "BOAT" (Byway Open to All Traffic) is open to all people to use including motorised vehicles.
But a motorised vehicle must be road legal as per the definition below:

"Who can use a byway?
These byways are normally marked "byways" and are open to motorists, bicyclists, horseriders, motorcyclists and pedestrians. As with public tarmac road networks, motorists must ensure that they are legally authorised to use BOATs (i.e. registered, taxed, insured and MoT'd)."

Although I haven't witnessed the afore mentioned Quad Bikes my impression is that they are not road legal and are being transported to the area to be ridden for pleasure.

Having been a resident for decades I am aware that historically motorbikes have always been ridden around the very top part of Weaver Down, including by myself when I was younger! At one point there was even organised Moto-X events there held so there has always been a precedence for this type of leisure activity. Search just this site for numerous posts about it.
The area I'm taking about I believe is owned by Old Thornes so if this is the area the current riders are using then suggest approaching them to see what their opinion is and what they want to do about it.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- John (3rd Jan 2021 - 12:12:44)


I beg to correct you Keith as the regulations state:

Byways Open To All Traffic (BOAT)
Under-age or banned drivers, quad bikes,mini-motos, non-road-legal scramblers & quad bikes are not allowed on BOATs. BOATs must not be ploughed or obstructed to prevent public use.

This pretty much rules out all the vehicles abusing our local byways at present.

I agree that, as a community, we need to gather evidence and lobby our local MP and HCC and WSCC to, at the very least, get a temporary restriction placed in the worst areas to allow the environment to recover, but also to attempt to get these old byways re-registered as restricted byways rather than public (BOAT) byways. The regulations for restricted byways state:

Motorcyclists, motorists in motorcars, mini motors, quad bikes, non-road legal scramblers are not allowed on restricted by ways. Restricted byways must also not be ploughed or obstructed to prevent public use.

Is anyone prepared to start an action group to pursue this?

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- KC (3rd Jan 2021 - 13:22:50)

The BOAT on Weavers Down is only up Queens Road then down to the Deers Hut.
To use a BOAT drivers need to be licensed and the vehicle needs to be legally on the road, i.e taxed and insured with MOT if required.
I have seen quad bikes and motorcycles on Weavers being ridden by older children, on the access land which belongs to Old Thorns.
Phone Old Thorns and advise them if you see anyone riding motorcycles on there, it is not legal and Old Thorns are interested in catching those who do.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Jennifer (3rd Jan 2021 - 14:07:22)

Keith, where are these BOATs? I've just looked at the Ordnance Survey map and I can't see any on Weaver's Down.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- (3rd Jan 2021 - 16:30:53)

I believe the land at Weavers Down belongs to Old Thorns and therefore it would be worth highlighting the problem to them . This is after all supposed to be a Nature Reserve
Old Thorns did erect fences and gates, but these have been ripped down (there is even a car bumper by one of the wrecked gates)
These are not just kids on quad and motorbikes, adults are arriving in transit vans with Bikes.
This was an issue in the past, but seemed to have stopped when the fences went up, but seem to have started again now they have been ripped down.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Jennifer (3rd Jan 2021 - 19:01:24)

The previous poster is correct about it being a nature reserve. It's actually a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a special protection area for wildlife.

It's "open access" land, meaning that, although the land is privately owned, the public is allowed access on foot and dogs are also permitted, providing they are kept on a lead. There is no right of access for cyclists (except on the public bridleways).

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Paul (4th Jan 2021 - 18:07:02)

On Christmas Day, there were 2 men on quad bikes driving around Weavers, along with a child who was probably about 4 years old on her own pink (petrol driven) mini quad bike.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- lac (7th Jan 2021 - 16:43:00)

Two years ago there was a problem with off road motor bikes using the Old Thorns fields (originally purchased to be a second golf course). They took immediate action to stop this, the police being called several times and the illegal users warned. This stopped the problem. I suggest anyone seeing the land being abused in this way should contact Old Thorns and/or the non urgent police number 101. The destruction of the fencing is also a criminal act and should be reported. There are enough eyes and ears out there to stop the few spoiling the area for the many. I'd personally like to thank Old Thorns for making the area available to walkers and keeping this National Park as a haven for recreation and wildlife. As a PS to a previous post, I have lived in the area for 25 years and there has NEVER been authorised quad biking or off road motor cycling legally allowed anywhere on Weavers Down. There is only 1 "BOAT" and as previously mentioned can only be used by legal motorised vehicles running up the side of Old Thorns golf course from the Deers Hut to the top of Queens Rd. Weavers Down is a very rare sandy Heathland habitat, home to some of the UKs rarest species. Please everyone help protect it.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- D (7th Jan 2021 - 19:06:26)

Doesn't the Natterjack Enduro facilitate part of Weaver's Down?

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Joe (7th Jan 2021 - 21:44:48)

This is/ was held at the longmoor military training camp at longmoor D not Weavers Down a protected site for Nature Conservation.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- D (8th Jan 2021 - 01:07:17)

Hello, Joe. It doesn't run on part of Weaver's then? It is right next to the M.o.D. land after all. I rode in several of the enduros over the years (some before the bypass was built) and I could swear part of the route at least was on the downs. We didn't have it this year for obvious reasons but it is a biennial event. Interesting quote from a friend who rides it more regular than I:-
"Every time a week before the event someone discovers a new insect or plant in an attempt to have it cancelled."

I remember when Ken Wood owned part of Weaver's many years ago but he did own Old Thorns and Forest Mere so I suppose he would have.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- M (8th Jan 2021 - 09:20:05)

@Lac
Although you don't mention my post I take it you are directing your reply to my previous comment..
I have lived here over 50 years and can confirm there was organised Moto-X events held on Weavers Down, as I actually rode in them. There was only a couple (around 30 years ago) as primarily it was the access for the cars/vans that caused a problem, along with the usual "not in my back yard" complaints.
They took place on the land that is now owned by Old Thorns and, I believe, is the land being used now? The area has always attracted motorcycles hence why they keep returning to the same area.
I'm not condoning the present unauthorised use of the land and anyone who is unhappy with what is happening should take it up with the relevant land owners and authorities.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- D (8th Jan 2021 - 10:12:53)

Hello, M. The rendezvous point for the R.E.M.E. enduro is now what used to be Gypsy Hollow sidings, accessed from the gate opposite 321 Engineer Park then over the flyover near where the old signal box was.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Duncan Long (8th Jan 2021 - 16:30:06)

There has always motorcycle events on Weavers Down
The original Sunbeam point to point 100mile event took place in the early sixty's. Farnham Motor cycle club ran the Khukri moto cross in the seventy's with profits going to the Gurkha welfare. The Haslemere club and others ran many trials on Weavers through to the eighty's. The Horsham Schoolboy Scramble Club held race meetings on the land now owned by Old Thorns looking towards Forest Mere, and the Army MCC ran the previously mention Natterjack enduro which held national championship status up until a few years ago. A previous poster was correct that it did indeed start at Weavers and go to Bordon via the old railway line, a lap of about 25miles

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- D (8th Jan 2021 - 20:02:38)

Before the bypass I remember access to the loop from Weavers was via the Gypsy Hollow entrance across the old Lomgmoor Road. Squaddies armed with broom handles used to man the crossing to ensure no collisions between competitors and passing traffic. I was never sure what the broom handles were for, to poke through your front wheel if you disobeyed them, perhaps?

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Jennifer (8th Jan 2021 - 23:03:58)

Perhaps there used to be motorcycle events on Weaver's Down 50 years ago but that is no justification for anyone to use it for that purpose now.

Fifty years ago, builders were busy installing asbestos in all of our buildings but that doesn't mean that we should do the same thing now! Times change. Knowledge increases and we adapt our behaviour accordingly.

Nowadays we are more enlightened about the need to conserve and preserve precious habitats - Weaver's Down is a nature reserve and home to rare species. It's important that we preserve it.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- D (9th Jan 2021 - 16:01:48)

Jennifer, the motorcycle events referred to here are official, legal, organised events. Please don't confuse them with the original post which concerned the illegal use of quad bikes.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Joe (9th Jan 2021 - 18:50:16)

Even an organised event would not now be allowed on Weavers Down. The events you are referring to go back 10 years or more pre National Park days.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- D (9th Jan 2021 - 20:03:15)

Joe, the R.E.M.E. Natterjack event has been held more than once within the last ten years. I'm disappointed that two contributors on this thread have declared that "no motorcycle event has ever been held on Weaver's Down" when there are many local residents who know different. One does the environmentalist lobby no favours in, to put it politely, attempting to mislead.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- D (10th Jan 2021 - 08:10:05)

I am reliably informed by a friend who rides in the R.E.M.E. Natterjack Enduro every year that it is held at Longmoor every other year to give the land a year off to recover. I am confused as to comments of "it wouldn't be allowed now."

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Rachel (16th Jan 2021 - 16:46:09)

Back at Weavers today and it looks like Old Thorns have been hard at work blocking gates, however the quad bike was back and still managed to get through to continue his destruction of the land. I called Old Thorns to update them and they said they would send someone straight away, but not sure if this happened....

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Paul (23rd Jan 2021 - 20:44:21)

And one gate at the top of Weavers smashed down this week so the quad-bikers could get through.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Jules (26th Jan 2021 - 10:21:01)

Solar powered CCTV mobile enabled feeding into their security office. Sounds like a no brainer to me.
Available from the usual places

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Nichola (28th Jan 2021 - 09:39:14)

Whilst walking across the field adjacent to Weavers Down yesterday, guy on quad bike sped towards us at speed, across our path about 10 ft in front of us, laughing and shouting, spraying us with mud, we had our dog with us who was extremely anxious and scared. The guy then turned around and proceeded to do the same thing this time coming even closer., waving his arms, we noticed a group of people up on hill laughing out loud. The whole experience was so intimidating. We called Old Thorns who are aware of what’s happening and that they are trying their best to sort the problem out.

Re: Quad bikes ruining Weavers Down
- Jodi (28th Jan 2021 - 19:47:17)

This is an awful story Nichola - how upsetting for you! Did you dial 999? If not, I hope you report it to the police anyway. The more we do, the more we might get listened to!

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