Stay Out The Woods: DEFA Warns After Walkers Ignore Closure Signs

The government’s issued a strong warning after some walkers and mountain bikers were caught sneaking into closed-off plantations on the Isle of Man — despite big signs and heavy machinery doing dangerous work.

Archallagan Plantation and South Barrule are both currently shut while forestry teams clear thousands of trees brought down by Storm Darragh and Storm Eowyn, which battered the island over winter with winds of up to 100mph.

But not everyone’s playing by the rules.

According to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA), people have been seen entering the restricted zones — risking their own safety and slowing down the work.

Tanya August-Hanson MLC said: ‘Storm-damaged trees can shift or fall without warning. What looks stable might not be — and that can be seriously dangerous.’

The clean-up began in February and is expected to continue through July, with more than 35,000 cubic metres of timber being removed from the sites.

UK firm Euroforest is handling the felling, with some timber processed in St John’s and the rest exported to the UK by boat.

DEFA said the closures are ‘absolutely necessary’ due to the use of heavy machinery and timber haulage vehicles.

While it’s frustrating for people who regularly enjoy the island’s forests, the department says safety has to come first.

They’re also looking into improving access at places like Conrhenny in the meantime.

Replanting of Archallagan is already in the works, with new trails and a mix of native trees set to be introduced from 2026.

In short: if there’s a sign up, don’t go in. It’s not just about you — it’s about everyone’s safety.