Helen Goodman MP today said that she will press ahead with a public “Hands Off Hamsterley Trek” in Hamsterley Forest despite the climb-down by the government on the public forest sell-off.
Helen said, “I am delighted to have heard yesterday that the Government have now seen sense and have backed down from their preferred option of selling off 250,000 hectares of public forests. They have also cancelled their consultation process, which a vast number of my constituents have already taken part in.
This is a significant and wholly welcome climb-down, and is a direct result of the overwhelming public opposition. I have received more letters and e-mails on this than on any issue in this Parliament, and this U-turn clearly demonstrates that the Government cannot ignore the clamour of people power.
Uncertain Future of Hamsterley Forest
However, the future of Hamsterley Forest still remains uncertain. It is not clear if the Government still plan to sell it off as part of the 15% of national forests they are allowed to sell, or if they have an alternative plan for the forest.
That is why the “Hands Off Hamsterley Trek” has been organised in Hamsterley Forest on Saturday 26 February and it will still go ahead. Helen hopes as many of the general public will be able to come along and show the Government how much we value our forests, and that Hamsterley must stay open to the public.
The trek will start at 11am, and we will be meeting in the car park by the Visitors Centre.
Any questions about the event please contact the constituency office on 01388 603075
Helen Goodman MP on 105.9 Bishop FM
Helen popped into Bishop FM to speak to Peter Quest on Friday 4th February and spoke about the reason for the trek
[audio:http://www.bishopfm.com/wp-content/uploads/hamsterley-forest.mp3|titles=Hamsterley Forest trek]