View this email in your browser Snow on Dartmoor – advice to the public

Winter is here and we are now beginning to get forecasts of snow on high ground. It is often the case that snow will fall on Dartmoor much earlier in the winter than elsewhere in the region. This attracts many people to drive onto the moor to enjoy the winter weather with their families and pets. As first falls of snow are often limited to small areas of Dartmoor these tend to get inundated with people – all vying for space to sledge and have fun.



It is important to remember that Dartmoor is not just a playground – it is a place of work and home to many – so by all means enjoy Dartmoor, but please use common sense if you are coming onto Dartmoor during periods of snowfall.



This winter Dartmoor National Park Rangers will be patrolling in areas which are affected by snowfall to ensure that people stay safe and follow the National Park winter guidelines:- Heed verbal advice and warnings from officials, regularly monitor and act upon local media updates and weather reports.

Do not obstruct gateways - farmers need access to fields in adverse weather to check on the welfare of animals. Animal’s lives could be put at risk by inappropriate parking.

Your rights of access do not change during snowfall, so do not enter farmers’ fields for sledging or damage property, including gates, walls and fences. Stay on the open moorland areas.

Keep dogs under control at all times.

Enjoy yourselves, be safe and take ALL LITTER (including sledging materials) home with you.

Take adequate warm clothing, shovel, blankets, food, and a hot drink. Be prepared that the weather conditions may deteriorate rapidly.

If you do drive onto the moor be aware that many vehicles are damaged during periods of snow and icy conditions – drive sensibly and park sensibly.

Use official car parks and lay-bys for parking.

Do not leave unattended vehicles on roadsides, verges or turning areas – even if the person in front of you decides to. Vehicles left in this manner can obstruct emergency services access.

Should snowfall be heavy and road closures are in place - do not drive beyond “ROAD CLOSED” signs, the signs will be there for a reason; additional traffic on roads that are closed hampers clearance operations as snow ploughs are unable to pass.