Unconstrained freedom to roam and do what you want may seem a very reasonable idea at this time?

The conservation teams that manage Woodbury and the other commons that make up the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths are proud that these areas are providing such an important resource for local communities to find space for air and recreation, to ride bikes or horses, tire out the kids or to exercise their family pet.

Countryside areas in East Devon have been lucky to avoid the levels of abuse that Devon’s National Parks and some urban green spaces have suffered in the past year.

Data gathered over the last year by East Devon AONB from sections of the East Devon Way, which crosses the heaths, indicates a five-fold increase in walkers, during some months, compared to 2018.

In lockdown, most people are exercising near to home. Generally, those coming to the heaths are respectful, but this highly protected landscape is also experiencing some increased pressure.

The majority of visitors come by car and more than half of them bring at least one dog.

Can an open space as special as the Pebblebeds cope with these significant impacts and what can we do to help reduce them?

What about those who expect even more access? To have a barbecue, drive a 4x4 or dig downhill bike jumps, even though these are clearly prohibited and quite inappropriate because or the risk they pose to wildlife, habitats and other visitors.

Then, there are those who claim not to even know that their actions might have an impact on the countryside.

An unfortunately common response is 'I didn't know' or 'where's the sign?'

Targeted signs are effective if people read them but who wants to clutter up every view with a list of dos and don’ts?

Natural England are responsible for promoting the Countryside Code and are currently reviewing and updating the guidance to cover not only countryside areas but also parks and green spaces in the urban environment.

But even if the Countryside Code and our individual recreational responsibilities are more widely understood and followed, would many of the issues and conflicts just evaporate?

Regrettably, I think not. Ignorance is often cited as justification for certain behaviours.

I don’t actually believe there are many who think dropping litter isn’t a problem or those who feel leaving dog waste behind is ever acceptable.

The individuals who do this are not ignorant, but sadly they are selfish.

They make conscious choices to visit beautiful places but then take an equally conscious decision to show little care when they get there.

We should all be thankful for access to these open spaces, to the many who follow the guidance without necessarily being told and thank our rangers, volunteers and countless unsung local people who do their bit to keep the heaths tidy and healthy for our wildlife and all visitors.