Bridge too far

 

For me this broken bridge (broken for weeks now) over the Ober is totemic of the New Forest NPA's  failures in managing and maintaining this magnificent tract of land. Well used, it's one of only 2 bridges on the stretch of Ober Water between Markway and Puttles bridges (there used to be a third bridge which fell into disrepair, was removed and never replaced), it's been out of service for weeks now, not too much of an issue whilst it's dry, though when it's wet. That's not the point mind, for years now too much of the forest's furniture, gates, dog accesses, tracks, bridges etal. have fallen into disrepair, languishing as such for a time before being lost/removed. Of course, I known the forest for 50 years and this decline was on going for years before the New Forest National Park Authority came into being, although, under the NPA it's accelerated as the forest has been relentlessly marketed at the same time as the infrastructure has continued to be neglected...then there's been the increased footfall of the pandemic too. Yes, I know I'm being a touch disingenuous, there's always repairs ongoing throughout the forest, and my complaint is not with the rangers or any other forest workers, all who do sterling work, but the NPA who should either fund the required staffing levels, restorations and repairs, or stop marketing the forest until they do.