Black Knowl - Access lane
Has anyone visited BK since it opened last Friday?
Has the access lane had any improvements following reports of the deterioration during the refurbishment works. No reviews thus far on CAMC website.
There were some snagging issues from the refurbishment, have they been undertaken?
Booked in for a birthday trip soon, would be nice to know what to expect and if the lane is as bad as reported will deliver the caravan then return with the birthday girl later to save consternation of dodging potholes 
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Hi
Our colleagues this season arrived today, they worked at BK last year. After a chat I think all the snagging issues you mention are sorted. The club don't own the lane outside the site so not sure if potholes have been filled.
JK
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Thanks for that info.
It's a few weeks till our visit, hopefully a reply re the lane will appear afore then. Or site reviews will reflect the current situation as last seasons have lots of adverse comments on it.
Bit of a give away if we popped in before our booked trip
Popped in early last year to have a look at the site, hence choosing it for her birthday trip this year.0 -
Site Staff would be able to give the the most up to date situation so perhaps a quick call would put your mind at rest.
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We’ve just come back from Black Knowl and the access road is really bad! Huge potholes that are difficult to avoid...we only have a small van and couldn’t miss them! Site was lovely but we got so fed up with the road that we’ve cancelled our future bookings there. Didn’t help with everywhere being so wet and you couldn't see exactly how deep the holes were. Repairs desperately needed before damage is done to a members car, caravan or motorhome.
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Thank you for taking the time to give a recent update.
I noted recent reviews since opening this season that the lane has not been addressed and to complain.
Will have to complain post visit.
For our upcoming visit I'll travel with the caravan for first knockings and pick up my family later.
Have to look to videoing the drive in.
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There have been complaints about the state of the road for years by members. It was hoped that when the vast amount of money was spent on the site recently that some would have been earmarked for the road. Not so it is now very dangerous and no matter how many people complain it seems to fall on very deaf ears. I am afraid it will take a serious accident before the club may act. You only need to read reviews over the last 12 months to see how bad it is.
We were in the forest in March but not staying on the site but went down to Ober corner to let our dog have a run. The road is now in a dreadful state. We are visiting the site in July but I would not expect any improvements. Soon you will only be able to visit this site if you have an off road vehicle.
The question to ask now is if your outfit is damaged can you claim against the Club and the Forestry Commission?
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Since this is an area that can flood and the winter weather will have made things worse it is unlikely that the road will be in good repair. Heavy vehicles using it won't improve the situation. Country roads have suffered a lot of damage recently. Perhaps when the weather improves the forestry com. people will be able to get some work done, they've got a lot of tracks and roads to sort in the NF.
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Arrived yesterday and the road is worse than it was when we were last here (November, final weekend of the season).
Having recently watched an Andrew Ditton video where he damaged his mover on a speed-hump, I took it VERY slowly over the speed-bumps and many, many potholes - and I mean creeping speed. We got here without damaging anything but the road is in an appalling state of disrepair.
Someone else wasn’t so lucky and smashed their Reich mover, pictured here, where a pothole meets a speed-bump!
Take it super slow....
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An update from our visit this past weekend.
The image posted above is from the 3rd speed hump as you enter the lane to the site. It really is noticeable and the worst part is on the right side, so proceed slowly.
Once you get to the right turn at the bottom of the lane approaching the site the road turns from tarmac to craters.
The left edge of the road is exhibiting considerable undulation as the bed appears to have given way completely, very little compacted substrate remains and the holes were like lakes on this weekend after the thunderstorms. The right to middle has multiple holes and again the edge is giving way. This goes for approx 40 feet and should be approached extremely slowly.
To the site gate there are various potholes that are easily seen and avoided if driving carefully and slowly.
The track is to be repaired soon, apparently, but no idea of when 'soon' is. Given the deterioration from Saturday nights thunderstorms 'soon' can't be quickly enough.
I did raise my car on its suspension when not hitched as it gave more ground clearance.
Pity this is putting off members from visiting as its a lovely site.
Why spoil the ship for happeth of tar?
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Perhaps it was all the heavy plant rebuilding the site that worsened the problem?
Hopefully visitors will complete site reviews and keep mentioning the problem until it's resolved.
David
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I have just had a read of the reviews and the state of the approach is mentioned in nearly all of them with several saying they are not returning until work is done on it,We have used it most years enroute to IOW to visit my Brother but may have to look elsewhere now ? is it worse than Cirencester? that is very bad but not the distance of the Black Knowl approach
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Which begs the question that if the heavy plant was deployed to produce formation on the new works, I'm unsure of what exactly was done, but formation works would be similar to making good the access lane if the plant did the damage.
There is a distinct difference in the main lane on the forestry commission bit all the way from the highway, to when it turns right at the bottom. The heavy plant must have traversed both bits, either under own power or on transportation, in which case reparations would have been part of any contract, surely? A reasonable construction contractor would be well aware of potential damage of it's operations on the environment. Or was it lowest price bid, that invariably ends up the highest cost!!
My review will mention it. An additional letter to Grimstead Towers might have more impact. Wheres me stamps??.
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Sorry, not been to Cirencester so can't answer.
However, Ive not towed or driven so slowly and carefully on any caravan site road that I can recall. Even then when daughter opened the fridge, loads of stuff fell out, which hasn't happened before!!
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I am pretty sure it right through to the CMC site is not a FC road, but part of the public highway, maintained by the NF District Council.
IMO they are the best to direct your complaints to and if you get damaged to pursue a claim against.
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I am pretty sure it right through to the CMC site is not a FC road, but part of the public highway, "maintained" by the NF District Council.
IMO they are the best to direct your complaints to and if you get damaged to pursue a claim against.
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No, it's a Forestry Commission road, during the winter a barrier is usually put across just after the top car park area near Brockenhurst. The adjoining Ober Water often floods and no doubt there is damage caused by flooding on the road. The C&CC Aldridge Hill site adjacent to the same road near Black Knowl will be suffering similar problems with access. I expect both clubs are aware of the problems but if members raise the issue too maybe repairs will be quicker?
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- I have sent an Email to the New Forest National Park asking for an update on the condition of the road ,and asking if it is still suitable and who is responsible if damage caused to vehicles when useing it when accessing the two campsites, in light of the reports on social media concerning the very poor condition
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Has anyone driven the A12 or the A27 west of Chichester lately? It seems the whole road network is crumbling. We're dooomed, I tell ye. We're dooomed.
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I have received a reply from the Park authorities and they advise that they do not have any responsibility for roads or lanes in the Park, they are the responsibility of the Forestry Commision or Hampshire County Council
They would think the lane is Forestry Commision as their site is also there
Another couple of emails i think
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great, can you sort out the Cirencester one while you're at it....
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