Warning to off roaders attending events – areas will be monitored by council and police

A firm warning has been issued to off-roader enthusiasts, to ask ‘should I be here?’ with it noted that ‘some advertised events are not legal’.

Wrexham Council have said, “Some enjoy the more extreme activities such as off-roading in their 4×4 vehicles, quad bike racing and moto X etc and get great pleasure out of it. But please be aware if this is your type of activity, that some advertised events are not legal and may be causing untold damage to our countryside.”

“The same situations crop up all over the UK and Wrexham is no different but here we are becoming increasingly concerned of wilful damage being undertaken within some designated woodland areas which are subject to statutory protection in the form of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).”

A TPO means that anyone found wilfully damaging, pruning, felling or destroying trees within the woodland, without prior consent from the council, may find themselves liable to criminal prosecution. The TPO can extend from the smallest sapling to the oldest tree.

The council have warned that areas around the county borough will be monitored in the coming weeks and they will be working with North Wales Police to ensure that protected woodlands are respected and that off-roading activities adhere to the relevant legislation.

They add, “So please be careful – enjoy your off-roading activities but please be mindful of the area you are driving in and ask yourself ‘should I be here?’ “