Quantock Hills. An Area of Outstanding Beauty

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The Somerset Pathwatch Scheme

The Somerset Pathwatch Scheme is a joint initiative between Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Somerset County Council, Exmoor National Park, The Crown Estate, National Trust and both the Quantock and Mendip Hills Area of Ouststanding Natural Beauty Services. It is aimed at protecting rights of way from damage by illegal off-road vehicle activity.

Police Sergeant Whysall, of the Exmoor Safer Stronger Neighbourhood Policing Team said “This is an excellent example of how the agencies who have responsibilities for the countryside are working together. Whilst most people who drive motor vehicles off-road do so responsibly, a minority are putting legal users’ safety at risk and are damaging the Somerset countryside.”
“Pathwatch allows the public the opportunity to report incidents to the police and with the help of our partners we are looking to educate the public on the different rights of way and the types of motor vehicles legally entitled to use them.”
Anthony Trollope-Bellew, Somerset County Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, said “Somerset County Council fully supports the aims and objectives of the Pathwatch scheme as it protects the rights of legitimate users of the network and ensures landowner interests are also protected”.
Tim Russell of the Quantock AONB Services said “The Quantock Hills have suffered from significant off road use in the past. They are a particularly fragile range of hills that need to be protected and anybody using hill tracks with a motor vehicle must remember that they must have either Lawful Authority to do so or explicit landowner permission.”
Please help us to keep your countryside safe and free from damage and report any illegal off-road activity to the police.
For more information on your Rights of Way and to report an incident to the police please phone 0845 456 7000. You can also report an incident by using the police website: http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/pathwatch

Georgie Grant - March 2010

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Annual Reports

View Annual reports from the Quantock AONB Service

AONB Planning Consultation Comments 2011

Please click below to read responses made by the AONB on behalf of the Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee

Information leaflets

Find out more about why the heathland is so important for birds, the red deer on the Quantocks and why the history of the landscape is so special.

Management Plan

The Quantock Hills AONB Management Plan 2009-2014 and Management Plan Summary

Newsletters

If you would like to subscribe to the Quantock Hills e-newsletter please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we will put you on our mailing list

Other organisations and activities in the Quantocks

A few things you might find interesting from organisations we work with in the Quantocks

Planning Application Comments 2012

Find out how the Quantock Hills AONB Service commented on planning applications in 2012

Planning Guidance and Position Statements

Find our guidance documents and position statements here.

PREPARING FOR CHANGE

Climate-proof your tourism business

Quantock Deer Count Results

Annual deer count results for 2010, 2011and 2012

QUANTOCK ECO EVENTS PROGRAMME

Building Resilient Villages

Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) Papers

Papers from the partnership committee the Joint Advisory Committeeqhjac_papers_22nd_july_11.pdf

Quantock Hills Visitor Guide

Recreation Leaflets

a full range of leaflets from circular walks to event guides and leaflets to allow you to enjoy the best of the hills

SCC disposal of land

Find out the Quantock Hills AONB Service position, and our response to SCC

Sustainable Development Fund forms

The SDF for 20011/12 has £45,000 to allocate. This will provide grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to explore and develop practical projects that enhance, conserve and develop the environment, economy and way of life.

Tick Leaflet

Ticks are becoming more common and a bite from this spider-like parasite could lead to Lyme Disease. This is a treatable infection caused by bacterium transmitted by ticks when they bite. Not every tick carries Lyme Disease and it is important to realise that the disease is relatively rare.