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Campsite safety vow
OFFICIALS have vowed to improve safety at one of the New Forest's biggest campsites after several potential hazards were identified during a spot check.
The Commoners' Defence Assoc-iation (CDA) has criticised conditions at the huge Roundhills site near Brockenhurst following an inspection carried out by its members.
CDA leaders say they found propane gas bottles, an insecure manhole cover and an electricity substation that was unlocked.
Former CDA chairman Mike Cooper raised the issue at the Court of Verderers meeting in Lyndhurst.
Referring to the gas bottles, used for heating water, he said: "They are not properly protected and it's our fear that animals and children could interfere with them, leading to catastrophic results."
Mr Cooper described other parts of the site, saying he found a manhole cover was not locked down.
He added: "I lifted the cover with one finger, exposing a large chamber some 4ft deep - easily large enough to contain a small child.
"While walking past an electricity substation we saw that the gate in the perimeter fence was open. Looking inside it was clear that access could be gained to high voltage equipment."
Mr Cooper claimed that animals could have entered the sub-station and become trapped.
He also warned that trailing power cables leading from new toilet blocks to a motorhome and a caravan could have posed dangers to grazing cattle and ponies. Following complaints from the CDA, the cables had been buried.
The Official Verderer, Oliver Crosthwaite Eyre, said the issue would be raised with the Forestry Commission.
Richard Palmer, development director of Forest Holidays, which runs Forestry Commission campsites in the Forest, said: "Mr Cooper's presentment raises several issues, some of which we were aware of and already addressing.
"Others had been brought to our attention by the Forestry Commission. We are addressing all these issues."
3:47pm Thursday 24th April 2008
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