by ollster » Mon 17 Sep, 2012 12:53 pm
Thought I'd best include this information in this thread rather than start a new one (I'm sure people use search, right?).
Doogs and I went for a morning trot to Table on Sunday. We accessed the unsigned forestry roads called "Table Mtn Road" on maps, from C527 (Interlaken Rd).
Starting the walk we observed: A "No Through Road" sign. An unsigned boom gate. Private property signs on entry to a small shack, and also off the road on a tree. These things are not uncommon. We biked along the 8-odd km road, walked up the peak, and proceeded to return the way we came.
On the way back we were intercepted by the caretaker, who told us in no uncertain terms that we were trespassing (were we?) and that he has been given orders by the landowner to call the cops and have any vehicles parked at the start of the road towed and the owners prosecuted. This is in response to people accessing the property and doing the wrong thing - stealing from the little house near the start of the road, vandalising etc.
We did show some contrition and understanding of the situation, and I made puppy dog eyes for a full five minutes while he blasted me, and he did not take any action. I did mention that I would communicate this situation to people.
Take this as a warning - enter Table Mt Road at your peril.
The obvious question this raises is: Is Table Mt Road actually a private road, and do they have any right to stop people using it? If it is private, are there requirements to sign appropriately?
"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."