Early in August I was surprised to find the former trackbed between the turn off to Happy Bottom Nature Reserve and the south end of Wayman’s Way (Somerset and Dorset line), as indicated on the map, blocked with fencing and barbed wire.
The photo of the notice below to the fencing explains the situation and the fact that CCTV cameras monitor the now private site.
It was previously a permissive way for many years as explained in the article from the Bournemouth Echo (below). The detour round this short obstruction is through the nature reserve, along the road and taking the bridleway towards Lamb’s Green and then turning south onto Wayman’s Way. Problem is the shorter footpath has also been blocked off (illegally) by the new landowner with barbed wire. This all takes an additional 45/60 minutes!
I have reported the situation to Dorset Council – Rights of Way team (ref MNT 69671) who, whilst they cannot do anything about the permissive path (see article), can take action about the footpath illegally blocked. It has been given ‘high priority’, though I have heard nothing further to date.
This is all rather verbose and complicated for such a short section of former trackbed – but I know the Club has organised at least three walks over this section (known as the Wimborne triangle) and many other members will have done so on their own.
Chris Witt and Tim Chant (for spotting the Bournemouth Echo article)
