Hamsterley Forest vistors told to take care after floods (From The Northern Echo)

Hamsterley Forest vistors told to take care after floods

10:53pm Friday 3rd July 2009 in

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VISITORS to a County Durham forest have been warned to watch their step after the worst storms in decades damaged pathways.

The Forestry Commission say that flash floods in Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland weakened many of the pathways.

The deluge - one of the worst storms in living memory according to locals - led to a section of forest road being badly damaged and the ground sodden.

Major trails remain open after being checked by rangers, but elsewhere the Forestry Commission is mounting a big clear-up operation, especially near Bedburn Beck, a popular picnic area, which was awash at the height of the downpour in the middle of last week.

Alex MacLennan, Forestry Commission's Recreation, tourism and communities manager, said: "A lot of debris has washed down the river so people need to be careful.

"Although the major trails are open other areas off the beaten path have had quite a pounding and ground conditions are obviously pretty soft."

Hamsterley Forest is Country Durham's largest public woodland and has more than 14 miles of waymarked walks, 33 miles of bike trails and 17 miles of bridleways.