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No dogs sign

Country path dogged by pet-walking

29 January 2008

Dog walkers have been warned that by taking their pets along a popular country path they could be putting its future in jeopardy.

The Colliers Way, which stretches between Midford and Wellow (south of Bath ), is an ‘enjoyable leisure route’ used by people of all ages to walk and cycle through the surrounding ‘wildlife haven’.

However, signs in the area prohibiting dogs are being ignored by their owners, which has caused the landowner of the path to take legal action, which may result in some sections of the trail being closed for public use.

Dogs are prohibited from the area because they chase the local sheep, hare and roe deer as well as disturb protected badger setts.

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans® has worked with the owner of this footpath to keep it open to the public for those on foot and bicycles.

Regional negotiator for the charity Rupert Crosbee said: ‘With the disturbance caused to wildlife and livestock, the continued use of the path could be at risk for the many walkers and cyclists who are welcome to enjoy this area.

‘We ask that people leave their dogs at home, except guide dogs, or walk the many other traffic free paths on the Colliers Way.’

According to The Transport Trust, walking is the most natural mode of transport and the one that has the least impact on the environment.

The trust says that walker-friendly places provide a meeting point for people to interact and notes that with more people out on foot the local community ‘feels safer’.

Sustrans is a registered trademark of Sustrans Ltd.

 
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