Alongside the Superintendent of Epping Forest, I was delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP back to the Forest today, as we walked the newly created Brambly Hedge trail in his Chingford constituency.
Sir Iain, a long-term campaigner for the protection of Epping Forest as one of the UK’s largest ancient woodlands, was pleased to discuss the management plans being implemented to conserve the Forest, as well as those to help manage the growing visitor pressures. He was particularly pleased to hear about the new Gloucester Ride, which will provide a much firmer path between Connaught Water and the Visitor Centre on Ranger’s Road.
We also took time to discuss some of the challenged Epping Forest is facing. The enormous increases in the number of flytips and litter being left by visitors costs Epping Forest’s charity about 15% of the budget which would be put to far better use. We discussed some of the proposals processing through parliament, including the deposit return schemes, high fines and improvements in judicial processes.
We also discussed items related to climate action, managing the growing number of pests and diseases and the mounting pressure from planning development and what that means for Epping Forest.
