Road Crossings
The main roads that cross the New Forest are extremely busy throughout the year but particularly during the summer period. The A31 is a dual carriageway on which vehicles travel at very high speeds, resulting in obvious dangers to expedition teams. Any routes crossing this road MUST use the underpasses -- these can be found at the following map references.
- underpass 216082
- underpass 240107
- road 235097
- underpass 267119
- underpass 193062
- road 191061
The A35 Lyndhurst to Lymington road is also busy and we recommend the use of underpasses whenever possible in crossing this road. Please note that some underpasses (expecially on the A35) are liable to flooding, similarly where fords/footbridges are marked on the map these may be impassable.
Tick Bites and Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an illness caused by bacteria which infect some of the ticks that can be found in the New Forest - not all ticks are infected but it is safer to assume that they are and treat in the same way. The ticks themselves are extremely small, around 3 mm, increasing to approximately 1 cm when fully engorged. We believe that prevention is better than cure and recommend that all individuals take the following precautions:
- Wear clothing that covers as much of the body as possible, including long sleeved shirts and long trousers.
- Examine yourself regularly during the day
- Remove ticks as soon as possible.
Team members should have a basic knowledge of how to deal with ticks and to remove them safely and effectively. A tick will not relinquish its grasp readily, but the following procedures advised by New Forest District Council should work:
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull, slowly and gently, (you may need fine tweezers), pull firmly and steadily without jerking or twisting. Don't rush
- Try not to squeeze or crush the tick's body. Special tick extractors are available from pet shops/vet surgeries.
- Apply a skin disinfectant once the tick has been removed.
- Inspect the wound carefully and ensure mouth parts have been completely removed - if uncertain consult a doctor as the wound may become infected.
- Check for redness around the site of the bite
- If you are concerned in any way or become unwell, see your doctor as soon as possible.
- The symptoms of Lyme disease may take a number of days to develop. Should you develop any rash around the wound or any flu/fever type symptoms then consult with your doctor immediately.
Forestry Work
The New Forest is a working forest, and teams will most likely come across felling, planting and other forestry activities during their expedition. Generally the areas where harvesting (felling) is taking place are CLOSED to the public, and teams will find notices to that effect on all access gates. Most of these notices will indicate that the closure is from Monday to Friday 0900 -1700. Teams carrying out their venture over a Saturday and Sunday should therefore not be affected. Teams using the forest during the week however, may find their planned route blocked.
You can check the Forestry Commission website: www.forestry.gov.uk/newforest to check on which inclosures are being worked on during the time of your expedition.
If you find your route blocked, do not attempt to enter, but walk round the edge of the enclosure if possible and pick up your route on the other side. If you find yourself approaching forestry operations having not seen a notice, it is important that you stop and try to attract the attention of forestry personnel before proceeding. Remember, if chain saws and other machinery are in use they will not hear your approach! Note that the danger area extends further than you think. If in doubt turn back.
Teams need to ensure thay do not climb over log piles in these areas.
New Forest Bogs
Treat anyone stuck as if they were in a river. Remove rucksack and stay calm. Moving about results in sinking deeper. Rescue using recognised side saving techniques. Survival bags make a good platform for distributing weight.
