Can I drive 5 miles to walk in the woods?

[R2221]

Just that really. We’ve been isolating for over a week and these woods are the only thing that kept us sane. Isolated woods - not many people there. Those we came across were mindful of distance.

With the current lockdown rules, are we allowed to drive there?

It's amazing how much time on call ins and questions on BBC news seem to boil down to 'but do I count in this rule? Am I an exemption? Technically can I half follow the rules?'

I'm sure when we do run out of ventilators, they'll think we have a special supply of those stashed away for them too.

Sorry if this has been done [pic] the thread is long and I haven't read it all.

It's amazing how much time on call ins and questions on BBC news seem to boil down to 'but do I count in this rule? Am I an exemption? Technically can I half follow the rules?'

Just like Mumsnet then?

It’s amazing how the police suddenly find the time to patrol rural spots telling dog walkers to piss off home when in 7 years they haven’t done a thing at the car park for our local woods that have a notorious car theft/break in gang at large. Until the government specify that we are not allowed to drive a short distance to a more secluded location I will continue to do so. We walked from home yesterday and saw 10x more people, plus my kids INSIST on touching every railing/lamppost, bench along the way, no matter how many times they’re told not too.
There’s an update on our local police force FB page tonight Complete with photos saying ‘mr plod has spent the day patrolling X,YZ (local walking spots), despite the sunshine all places were quiet’. It makes me rage that in a National fucking crisis they think that’s a good use of police time.

I think the enjoyment of dogging would be dulled somewhat if you could only include members of your own household

News at Ten suggested that driving to walk somewhere was not something the police are happy about in quite a few areas. I don't think I'll be doing it now.

www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2020-03-26/police-ban-driving-anywhere-to-walk-your-dog-or-exercise/

Great way to make a shit situation ten times worse. Let's all sit on our hands for the Police. ffs

I'm wondering if someone will phone in somewhere tomorrow and ask some dogging questions. Trying to decide if This Morning or Boris's daily briefing would be more entertaining ?

LittleRootie

@R2221 - ffs, do t do it. Doctors are pleading for people to stay home. Yes, it’s very unlikely that your lovely drive and walk will result in an emergency - but at the moment you need to think that if could

Estimates are that ICU/ITU beds are full by end of weekend. Fucking cancer treatments are being postponed to deal with the huge wave that is about to hit the NHS.

But hey, don’t you worry about any of that - you just go drive wherever you want for a nice walk - fuck everyone else and what you COULD be doing to stop the spread (ie FUCKING UNNECESSARY JOURNEYS)

See you next Tuesday 🙏

ChristmasCarcass were you laughing at the dogging joke? Because that's a quote from another poster above so I can't claim credit!

you just go drive wherever you want for a nice walk - fuck everyone else and what you COULD be doing to stop the spread (ie FUCKING UNNECESSARY JOURNEYS)

And again (ad nauseum) please explain how are 'unnecessary journeys' are contributing to the spread of the virus? Or, more to the point, explain why a short drive to walk in a place with few people/large enough area for people not to come anywhere near contact with each other is unacceptable, but being forced to use local parks full of children/families/joggers/dog-walkers etc etc is absolutely fine with our fine police force?

Fact is, 'kettling' people in this way is completely against the spirit and intention of the rules outlined by the PM on Monday. It will lead to a greater risk of spreading the virus by bringing people into closer contact. It will cause increased resentment and probably anger against each other at a time when we all really need to be calm and considerate. It will lead to a great loss of goodwill towards the Police on the part of law-abiding people who just want to go for a walk and are being humiliated and treated like criminals.

Anyone still in doubt, watch BBC breakfast right now. The answer is a very clear no,

Why can people not understand that the 'isolated areas' are usually farmer's workplaces and if you start infecting all the farmers then it's not going to help the food situation.

Stay away from farms
Stay away from places there are farm animals
I know it's spring and lovely, but we really really need you to stay away.

Our Council is actively encouraging people to go use the country parks here- you can only get to them by driving. All they are saying is to not touch the picnic tables, sit on benches etc.

They’ve obviously not seen the videos made by Derbyshire police, trying to stop swarms of people descending on the Peaks, very clearly specifying what is “non-essential” activity or the Chief Constable on Breakfast this morning pleading with people to stay home.

I live on a farm with very vulnerable family. I am sick and tired of walkers coming through the farmyard near our home touching gates. Why can't people just stay at home like we are!

@frankie246 I hear you! We own a woodland area and despite having "private property" signs up we are forever trying to tell ppl that it is part of our garden. A man once asked us for proof! Yeah ok mate I'll just walk around with my deeds in my pocket
Another time a family got upset because people "can't own woodland areas" apparently

AngryTruckDriver for the first time on this thread I would say that's a fair point (and well made without all the abuse of posters like Furries)

I don't know what area you're in, all i can say in my area of Devon the traffic is a tiny fraction of the norm possibly due partly to lack of tourists.

What I really wanted to say was a big THANKS to you. Waste collection/disposal is a crucial service at all times - it's very disturbing that you saw a rat, we had a big outbreak in our town centre a while back - and you're working under very difficult conditions with a skeleton staff so I just wanted to offer you my own mini-applause

Our Council is actively encouraging people to go use the country parks here

Blimey, where are you rodgmum? Your council sound unusually sensible!

Absolutely not