SUSTAINABILITY

FEATURES
canyoning. To support the new
policy direc tion and to face the new
challenges of outdoor recreation
ART adopted the mantra of cer tainty,
clarity and consistency.
Certainty ensures public access and
recreation is recognised as an integral
part of MOD estate management.
Open access and linear routes must
be managed, maintained and made
available when possible, to fulfil policy.
The public need to be certain where
and when access is allowed, but
equally the military need to be aware
of where and when the public are
likely to be on the estate.
Clarity refers to information provision.
It must be clear to any visitor where
access is acceptable.
Consistency recognises that people
enjoy access across our estate and not
just on one site. We need to ensure
that access delivery and information
is as consistent as possible across the
whole of our UK estate.
Access as a consequence of
legislation is an obligation, but
the MOD has strived to go further.
Throughout the last ten years ART
has worked with a wide range of
internal and ex ternal bodies to
Grand opening of the Sealand multi-user trail in 2013 © Andrew Pratt
deliver projects outside the confines
of legislation.
Projects such as the Kirkcudbright
path network, the Sealand cycleway
and the Castlemartin Range Trail, all
seen in previous issues of Sanctuary,
are fine examples of where this
approach has been successfully
adopted. Provision of marked
linear routes remains an important
tool in ensuring the public can be
confident they are where they should
be. Multi-user trails are in place,
balancing military and public use
on site. Information and awareness
raising continues to be fundamental.
ART work closely with the DIO
Communications team and SD
Training to further the suite of public
access information with new leaflets,
online resources and on site panels.
Overall it is nationally recognised that
Defence Estate provides excellent
opportunities for the public to take in
some of the most beautiful, remote
and unspoilt parts of the UK. With
careful management of the many
demands on the Estate, these access
opportunities will continue to be made
available to the public.
James Nevitt
Senior Access and Recreation Team
Defence Infrastructure Organisation
Volunteers erect essential signs across Salisbury Plain © Dale Wyatt
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Sanctuary 44 • 2015