SOUTHERN MALVERN HILLS
The remaining restrictions on access to the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire and Herefordshire are being lifted. Starting from today (Friday, 29 June 2001) the area of the Hills under the jurisdiction of the Malvern Hills Conservators from British Camp south, apart from Chase End Hill in Gloucestershire, will be open to the public. The National Trust property on Midsummer Hill will also be open.

As Director of the Malvern Hills Conservators I am delighted that Worcestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council have followed the advice of DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and are re-opening the Hills.

Castlemorton Common will be open to the public on Monday, 2 July. As this is a working common I have been in discussion with farmers to find ways to overcome problems so that the stock as well as people can return to the Common. Special grazing areas have been created for the welfare of animals which have been starved of grass during the foot and mouth epidemic. This is temporary until the infected area status has been lifted and I hope that members of the public will be understanding of the measures we have taken.

Ian J S Rowat
Director

At a meeting at Worcestershire County Council on 22nd May 2001 the question was asked of a Senior MAFF official whether any indication could be given to the time-scale in relaxing restrictions both in terms of stock movement and public access to the countryside in Worcestershire.
MAFF draw a "ring" around cluster premises and are currently assessing whether or not they are infection free following blood sampling and disinfecting where appropriate. After that they should be able to shrink the infected area status of the county and part of the county could be free of infection. MAFF are currently looking at guidelines, both inside infected areas and outside, with a view to relaxing some of the constraints. This should be completed within 2 weeks.

The decision on whether an area ceases to be an infected area is one for MAFF. The decision on whether to open footpaths or commons will be a discussion between the owners and Worcestershire County Council with adjacent landowners being informed of the situation. As regards the re-opening of Castlemorton Common, the Conservators will liase closely with the Castlemorton Parish Council, Welland Parish Council, Castlemorton Common Association and individual commoners where they have expressed an interest to the Director.

Ian J S Rowat

The middle section of the Malvern Hills from the Wyche Cutting
to the Malvem Hills Hotel will be open from Saturday, 12 May.

Visitors are asked to please use the following access points where disinfectant approved by MAFF will be in position:

• The Wyche Cutting
  
  
• Gardiners Quarry, Jubilee Drive
  
  
• Blackhill, Jubilee Drive
  
  

The area from British Camp south, including Castlemorton Common, remain closed at present.

Ian Rowat, Director of the Malvern Hills Conservators: "I am delighted that we are able to open another section as this will relieve some of the pressure and congestion around the northern Hills. Also walkers will be able to enjoy a really good walk in this beautiful weather."

Martin Buckland, Business Development Manager, ADAS:"Limited use of disinfectant procedures and the non-toxic properties of the disinfectant to be used should provide minimum risk to the contamination of the Malvem water sources."

CONTACTS:-

Ian Rowat, Malvem Hills Conservators — 01684 892002

Martin Buckland, Business Development Manager ADAS — 01235 438900

PRESS RELEASE:    Tuesday 19th April 2001(Amended 30/4/01)

MALVERN - NORTH HILLS WILL OPEN THIS WEEKEND FOR WALKERS

After a substantial amount of work and consultations the Malvern Hills Conservators are allowing access to a part of the Malvern Hills - the northern Hills which includes the Worcestershire Beacon.

David Whitehorne, Malvern Hills Conservators' Conservation Officer says, "Following a detailed and exhaustive risk assessment, which has involved consultations with Government Agencies, we are now able to open the Hills north of the Wyche Cutting. This process has been supported by the National Farmers Union. There will be safety measures in place such as foot baths for walkers and we ask that all local people and visitors abide by all rules and read very carefully all information signs. Dog owners must keep their dogs under strict control. In order to assist with the management situation at this time I would request that horse riders and cyclists refrain from using the Hills."

Whilst the northern Hills will be open from the Wyche Cutting to the north point of the Hills, it must be stressed that the Hills south of the Wyche cutting remain closed at this time.

The opening of the northern Hills is experimental and the situation will be monitored on a day to day basis and reporting to all the agencies concerned, including MAFF and the Environment Agency. It might be necessary to close the land again should the foot and mouth epidemic worsen in the area.

The following car parks will be open:

Beacon Road
Earnslaw Quarry
North Malvern
Tank Quarry

Following the hydro-geological survey the West of England Car Park will remain closed in view of its close proximity to Hayslad Spring.

Ian Bamforth, Countryside Manager for Worcestershire County Council says, "It is good to see a part of the Hills reopened, however it is essential that everyone using the area strictly follow the rules laid down. It is also important that people obey all path closed signs and do not use any footpaths and bridleways in the wider countryside beyond the Hills".

Mike Eastwood, Herefordshire Council Public Rights of Way Manager says, "I am delighted that we are able to open up a portion of the Hills and hope that this will take some of the pressure off local Herefordshire businesses. I would urge users to act responsibly and follow the advice on the notices so that the Hills can remain open."

In addition to the northern Hills part of the Guarlford Road from Barnards Green to Guarlford Parish boundary and Sherrards Green area will be open.

Contacts
David Whitehorne, Malvern Hills Conservators - 01684 892002
Ian Bamforth - Worcestershire County Council Countryside Manager - 01905 766478
Mike Eastwood - Herefordshire Council Public Rights of Way Manager - 01432 260572

PRESS RELEASE:    1pm Tuesday 10th April 2001
MALVERN HILLS AND COMMONS – FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

The Malvern Hills remain closed. The Malvern Hills Conservators are still having to satisfy the MAFF requirements following a Risk Assessment carried out by ADAS, with the support of Worcestershire County Council and the NFU, regarding the Malvern Hills. This includes the completion of a hydro-geological survey at the request of the Environment Agency. This must be completed to ensure that the use of disinfectant, which is required to meet the safety measures to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth disease, does not create a problem in relation to ground water supplies and associated springs and water courses.

However, the Malvern Hills Conservators in co-operation with Worcestershire County Council are re-opening Newland and Malvern Commons from Wednesday, 11 April which are considered to be low risk areas. The public are reminded that as we are in an outbreak Infected Area, dogs must be kept on a lead. This also applies to Malvern Link Common which has been open throughout this current crisis.

The Malvern Hills Conservators' Director, Ian Rowat, says, "We have been working hard towards re-opening sections of the Hills but they will remain closed until we are able to ensure all requirements of the Risk Assessment are met. We are urgently investigating the carrying out of a hydro-geological survey at the request of the Environment Agency. When we have the results from this, we will be getting together with other relevant agencies as soon as possible to review the current position."
Countryside Manager for Worcestershire County Council, Ian Bamforth, says, "It is essential that all the requirements and safety measures identified in the Risk Assessment are in place before any of the Hills are re-opened."

Contacts:
Ian J S Rowat, Director, Malvern Hills Conservators
Office 01684 892002
Mobile 07831 347544

Ian Bamforth, Countryside Manager, Worcestershire County Council
01905 766478

The Malvern Hills Conservators working with Worcestershire County Council, Herefordshire Council and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF) are proposing to employ the consultancy based company, ADAS, to carry out a Risk Assessment on the Malvern Hills and Commons. The Risk Assessment will help the organisations involved to consider the possibility of opening up areas for public access whilst highlighting areas where visitor activity could potentially spread the infection. This review is being carried out now as stock were removed from the Hills at the outset of the outbreak and the 28 day quarantine period advised by MAFF is due to expire.

Director of the Malvern Hills Conservators, Ian Rowat, says, "As a responsible organisation we are concerned to prevent the potential spread of the disease but also wish to support rural businesses as well as local people's enjoyment of the Hills. There are opportunities to look at access to the northern Hills which are ring fenced by houses and roads, whilst strengthening access restrictions to surrounding farmland. By getting ADAS to carry out the Risk Assessment all organisations will be in a better position to assess fully the situation. We will keep everyone informed of this process and will provide more detailed information in the near future."

Martin Buckland, Principal Consultant from ADAS, "It is hoped that the assessment will be completed by the 4 April 2001 and following assessment if safe to do so some areas may be opened up by the 7 April."