Forest curfew plan comes under fire

The new laws, proposed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, have left groups such as Scout and Cub groups concerned, as they would bring an end to group expeditions, with ‘wild camping’ being banned and camping only available with the permission of the Department and in a designated area.

One of the biggest issues in the new bye-laws is the proposal which says: “The right of access granted under section 31(1) of the Act is excluded between sunset and sunrise.”

Dromara woman Andrea Harrower, a member of Dromara Cycling Club and one of the founders of the all-female cycling group Bikedock Belles, was shocked to discover the proposals just before the consultation closed on June 23.

In total the Department received 228 responses to their consultation, with Bikedock Belles one of the groups writing to express their concerns.

Andrea commented: “It is not just the biking community who are concerned by this. Scout groups and people who use the forest for events are also worried. You can’t camp unless you are in a designated area, part of the fun of the Scouts is wild camping; it’s part of the experience.”

Andrea, who was speaking whilst on a cycling trip to the Mournes, also said that access to the walking trails and the mountains in the area would also be restricted.

“The access to the Mournes is all through forested areas. A lot of people use Donard Wood; now under these laws, you can’t do that. Especially if it’s winter, sunset may be at 4pm, that won’t allow people to explore the areas they want to before they must leave, or face a fine for being there after dark.

“As Belles, we feel the bye-laws are a complete contradiction to what we are trying to do. People need to be promoting healthy activity, not restricting it.”

Opponents to the proposals say that they will affect people who would be walking their dog, or who allow their children to play in late afternoon in the winter as the sun would have set.

A spokesperson for DARD said: “The Forest Service has proposed daylight access hours on grounds of health and safety and the practicalities of on the ground management and enforcement. Indeed such opening and closing times are a widespread feature of bye-laws for urban and country parks. This is certainly not a blanket prohibition and we will listen carefully to stakeholders’ views emerging from the consultation, before making any decisions.”