Burnham Beeches Dog Walkers

the current rules make no sense ?!

Completely agree with this. Also need a couple of dog bins Egypt Lane end where we can walk dogs off the lead but there are no bins. How very strange

more freedom is needed for dogs, otherwise owners stop taking them out as regularly and dogs wellbeing suffers

Good luck

This would seem to be common sense, and an improvement for all concerned.

This is a start but would like to see restrictions thought out more carefully - there are so many areas where dogs cannot be off lead that seems to have no rhyme nor reason. Agree should be on lead on common especially in summer when there are families playing and picnicing. More poo bins are needed then maybe there would be less poo bags left around.

Access to the drier side of the woods in winter would be nice.

This seems a commonsense approach that opens up the Beeches to a generally responsible group of frequent users. Personally I prefer the simpler idea put forward by others of limiting the restrictions to peak times but would welcome any improvement to the current draconian regime which was roundly criticised by the Kennel Club. The current Dog Control Orders were granted on the basis of spurious research evidence and have been implemented at times with heavy-handed zeal by officials who tend to focus their attention on the most vulnerable members of the dog walking community. The current regulations are often breached because they are both hard to understand for the casual visitor and unreasonably restrictive for the frequent user. A more reasonable order would generate better compliance and higher levels of respect for those attempting to enforce its conditions.

I quite agree so many loose dogs and dogs' mess more rules needed and rangers to carry them out.

More dog off the lead areas used by responsible dog owners would allow those of us who use the Beeches everyday the opportunity to enjoy a larger proportion of them and stop a narrow area being over run with dogs all concentrated in one place which can be unnecessarily stressful. Thank you

We walk our dog at least twice a day, early morning and evening as the light allows. I would like to see restrictions in place only at peak times. I would guess that on over 75% of our walks we don't meet or see anyone else!

I walk my dog at least once a day in the Beeches, and I have found that it is the off lead area where most people walk, including runners and people without dogs. I feel that there should be open access to all the beeches before 10.00 and after 18.00 ( during summer).

I like to run with my dogs early and am restricted to same small area. This small area has now suffered from real wear and tear, increased paths through woods, disturbed wildlife as dog walkers forced to walk every square inch of restricted area. It does not seem sustainable or good management.

I walk my dogs in Burnham Beeches every day and everyone I meet hates the on-lead restrictions. It is a beautiful natural environment where dogs should be allowed to roam freely. It is such a shame that for the sake of a few irresponsible dog owners, our dogs are now restricted. The early mornings and evenings off lead times would be a happy solution for all.

Burnham Beeches is a family favourite however even the existing restrictions cause us to walk often in alternative locations as a family - I use the beeches three to four times each week to walk further restrictions on where my dog walk Off the lead will deter me from using the facility - it is becoming an unnecessarily over managed situation that is driving community away rather than encouraging its enjoyment ! Enough restrictions already !

I love the ability to walk my dogs in BB off lead and feel that unrestricted time in the morning and evenings would be a compromise that can work for all

We don't take our dogs to BB nearly as much as we used to as it is so restricted. I would love to be able to walk with them more freely and love the idea of off lead during the early mornings and late afternoons. Opening up Victoria Drive too makes perfect sense. We are the ones who are there the most. There has to be an agreeable solution.

Please can we not all co exist together ? The majority who are responsible dog owners, are being penalised for the transgressions of an irresponsible minority. The Beeches is a wonderful, beautiful and diverse natural environment that we should all be able to share, maintain, and benefit from.

Doctors support dog walking for improved physical and mental health. Please please don't discourage this important recreation and help our overburdened NHS

You must be able to work out a system where Burnham Beeches works for everybody instead of restricting it for dog walkers who are the ones who walk there the most!