Improve Outdoor access to allow travel further afield

Currently people are restricted to exercising and living in their local environment. This has the effect of concentrating more people in to a smaller area, thus increasing the likelihood of transmission. People should be allowed to exercise further afield in order to spread out more, thus reducing the chance of transmission. To help this, landowners should cease from restricting access, blocking car-parks, closing paths and intimidating visitors.

Why the contribution is important

The current restrictions concentrate people in to smaller areas, meaning higher density of users and increased risk of transmission.
For example, we are fortunate to live near to a woodland with paths. These woods have now become extremely busy with many people enjoying their rights to exercise there. Conversely, there is a large area of hillside and forest on the edge of town, well supplied with many large trails and good car-parking that is deemed too far away and the car-park is closed. This area is empty. The density of visitors would be much lower at the edge of town forest (currently closed) than at the woods in the local vicinity (open and very busy).
The current guidelines are being interpreted by many landowners as an excuse to restrict access to open land; it is these open spaces where transmission risk is lowest. Outdoor activity is very low risk.

by BigAl on May 05, 2020 at 01:33PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.6
Based on: 31 votes

Comments

  • Posted by gandalf1 May 05, 2020 at 13:54

    Totally agree, I have a static caravan which I could use and remain compliant with social distancing

  • Posted by Placemgt May 05, 2020 at 14:00

    The more people move around the country & into rural Scotland the higher the risk of a new spike - not all individuals are as responsible as this person.

  • Posted by Robert866 May 05, 2020 at 14:02

    Sites for Motorhomes and Touring Caravans should be allowed to re-open. For example, only using every second pitch while shared facilities remain closed would allow for social distancing.

  • Posted by kenmac May 05, 2020 at 14:11

    Agree.

  • Posted by FL May 05, 2020 at 14:15

    100% agree - I live alone in a very small city centre flat- there are no green spaces round about at all. The pavements are narrow and the area is heavily populated. I have to go for a walk in the very early morning to try to have any chance of avoiding crowds - even at that time there are people who don’t observe social distancing since there is no space- pavements are narrow and everyone is now trying to exercise here whereas before very few would do so. If we could travel say 30miles we could all find quiet (no, not tourist hotspots like beaches or busy well known walks) country areas to disperse and get some exercise safely and in a way that helps our mental health too. As it is I’ve not Been outdoors in daylight to get sunshine since mid March and any early morning walks in the streets here have been very stressful since you have to walk in a state of heightened anxiety and vigilance to look out for joggers who pass too close. Please dear goodness let us get away from our prisons to exercise safely in quiet remote obscure countryside! This is making living an existence not a life- and the question surely needs raised as to whether we should continue to exist if this is all there is.

  • Posted by SplatTuz May 05, 2020 at 14:31

    Keep to regional areas

  • Posted by alloha May 05, 2020 at 14:53

    totally agree with this idea. I've added my own similar idea. I think if you add up all of the similar topics and driving for exercise that it will be by far the most popular suggestion overall.

  • Posted by ScottBamford May 06, 2020 at 19:14

    As much as I sympathise with those without access a quite local outdoor walks I disagree with opening up outdoors for everyone to travel to. It will be impossible to manage the honey spots and police effectively.

  • Posted by Jay32 May 10, 2020 at 17:35

    No, it is too early. We are trying to limit the spread of the virus. Not everyone is responsible and some farmers are suffering with irresponsible 'exercisers' disturbing livestock and fields. It's impossible to police and manage.
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