4x4 Vehicles Damage The Historic Landscape Of The Mendip Hills Aonb
1 Apr 2014 01:49 PM
Illegal off-roading by 4x4 vehicles on one of
England's most special places, the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty (AONB), has caused substantial damage to the historic landscape at the
Charterhouse lead works in Blackmoor Reserve, near Blagdon,
Somerset.
English Heritage staff have discovered deep ruts and
surface erosion to delicate surfaces forming part of the former lead and silver
mining complex, which is protected both as a Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI) and a Scheduled Monument.
The
damage has been reported to Avon and Somerset Police who are investigating this
serious case of heritage crime. Under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological
Areas Act 1979 it is a criminal offence to cause damage to a Scheduled
Monument.
The
site, owned by Somerset County Council, is in the centre of the Mendip Hills
AONB. Andy Mallender, Project Development Officer for the AONB said:
"There is mounting concern about the damage being caused to the protected
Mendip Hills landscape by an irresponsible minority of off-road
drivers. They are damaging valuable wildlife and heritage sites and
putting other people's safety at risk.
"We aim to assist the police in tackling this
problem and encourage anyone who believes vehicles or motorcycles are using
public rights of way or open country illegally to report it to the police using
the 101 telephone number."
Mark Harrison, Policing and Crime Advisor of English
Heritage said: "Damage to rural archaeological monuments from
irresponsible or uninformed off-road driving is a serious issue and can often
result in major damage and disturbance to sites. Wheeled traffic, whether bikes
or off-road vehicles, can quickly erode historic earthworks and can cause very
substantial harm to irreplaceable heritage sites.
"I'm sure the vast majority of off-road drivers
would be appalled to realise that their activities may have damaged an
important archaeological site. It is very difficult to find those responsible
for this kind of damage and we call on local people to be vigilant in reporting
any such activity they may encounter."
Hugh Beamish, Assistant Inspector of Ancient Monuments
for English Heritage said: "We hope by highlighting the damage caused that
it will discourage others from carrying out the same mindless act. Heritage
crime erases history, defaces the landscape, threatens the viability of
churches, defiles the memory of our war heroes and melts away our great art and
artefacts."
Heritage crime such as this is defined as 'any
offence which harms the value of England's heritage assets and their
settings to this and future generations'. It includes offences such as
architectural and metal theft, illegal metal detecting, graffiti, and vehicle
nuisance. English Heritage, the Police (through the Association of Chief Police
Officers), and the Crown Prosecution Service are currently spearheading a
national programme to tackle Heritage Crime.