Hugh Spencer/George Allan
From the farm buildings at Bridgefoot on the Groddie road a vehicle track climbs onto Roar Hill, south of Morven . It might be an attractive way to climb this hill. Last October, on the gate at the start of this track, one of our members found two notices. One stated that a ‘laser fence’ was in operation beyond the gate, these being trialed as part of an EU sponsored project. The other warned that to proceed would require eye protection to prevent serious damage to eyesight. This stopped our member in his tracks. Laser fences are used to protect growing crops from wild life and rodents from attacking stored crops, thus reducing the need for traps and poisons.
It seemed clear from the informative tone of the notices that there was no intent to thwart access. This estate had never, to our knowledge, created access problems. It seemed likely that the access implications had simply been overlooked. However, widespread use of such fences, with their warning notices, could compromise access. Who would dare ignore the warnings?
We raised the issue with the Cairngorm National Park Authority’s Director of Access. He was unaware of laser fences but he obtained helpful information from The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). They stated that trials of laser fences are being conducted under guidance from the Health & Safety Executive. The fences are operated manually under line-of-sight control for short periods in the evening by trained operators and the default action is to switch them off should anyone come within sight. Lasers are only set to automatic operation within farm buildings. The risk to the public is considered comparable with other activities on agricultural or sporting land - such as machinery movements and shooting and, in the exercise of access rights, the public should follow advice given on the ground (i.e the notices displayed).
We raised the point that HSE guidance should surely require that warning notice be displayed only when a laser fence is being operated and if there is a separate and permanent notice saying laser fences are at the location then it should state that a specific warning notice will be displayed when they are actually in use - and that otherwise it is safe to proceed. Our correspondent at the GWCT agrees and is raising it with the HSE.
We are awaiting the outcome of our suggestions to HSE via GWCT. There are only a handful of trial locations in the UK and this is probably why it does not appear to have come within the radar of the other access bodies in Scotland. It is clearly a development to be monitored.
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