Publics right to use Wythenshawe Sports Ground
Dear University of Manchester,
I am a regular user of the fields at Wythenshawe Sports Ground, Willenhall Road.
I have today noticed several entrances to the fields being fenced off that were previously open to let the general public onto them.
So I would like to know if there's anything to state that the general public and more importantly dog walkers have no right to use them?
Yours faithfully,
Reece Sanford
Dear Reece
I am writing to acknowledge your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 received by The University of Manchester today, our reference as per the subject line.
The University will respond to your request within 20 working days.
Kind regards
David Smith
David Smith | Information Officer | Information Governance Office | Directorate of Compliance and Risk |Professional Support Services | G006 Christie Building | The University of Manchester | Oxford Road | Manchester | M13 9PL | Tel +44(0) 161 306 8120 | www.manchester.ac.uk
Dear Reece,
Thank you for your request for information received by The University of
Manchester on 31 July 2019 which was as follows:
Public’s right to use Wythenshawe Sports Ground
I am a regular user of the fields at Wythenshawe Sports Ground, Willenhall
Road. I have today noticed several entrances to the fields being fenced
off that were previously open to let the general public onto them.
I would like to know if there's anything to state that the general public
and more importantly dog walkers have no right to use them?
Your request was referred to the Sports Compliance Officer within our
Student Support Services who has provided the following response for you.
Hello and thank you for your enquiry. The perimeter fence was installed a
number of years ago to limit the access to the site as the sports pitches
were getting damaged by motorbikes and animals. At the time we consulted
with both councils regarding the rights of way onto and across the land
and ensured the fence did not block this. Since then as part of customer
service for the players we created some gaps in the fence to make it
easier for ball retrieval. However this also made it easier for non-sport
users to access and damage the fields. As a result we have taken the
decision to close these sections of fence again and rely on opening
specific gates on match days for ball retrieval.
The land is private property but there are clearly marked paths across it
that are public rights of way such as on Fairy Lane, by the M60 footbridge
and Willenhall Road; these points are still open. The public as always are
allowed to walk their dogs on these footpaths as long as they are under
their close control.
I trust this is of use to you.
Kind regards
Sharon
Sharon Glen | Information Officer | Information Governance Office |
Directorate of Compliance and Risk |Professional Services | G7 Christie
Building | The University of Manchester | Oxford Road | Manchester | M13
9PL | Tel +44(0) 161 306 7549| [1]www.manchester.ac.uk
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