Paths in the New Forest are becoming waterlogged.

Walkers in the New Forest are finding woodland tracks are waterlogged and unusable after Forestry Commission work to harvest trees.

The wettest weather in living memory and the wheels of heavy machinery have combined to leave some trails deeply rutted, flooded and impassable for walkers. Enclosures at Church Place and Dear Leap near Ashurst are particularly badly affected.

Logging in the New Forest.

The problems have been caused by the heavy machinery used by the Forestry Commission to cut down trees in what are 'working woods' - areas of the forest used to generate income.

The use of one machine in particular is causing complaints from walkers because it carries up to 18 tonnes and just sinks into or severely churns up the ground. The Commission say reverting to human effort would not be a cost effective way of cutting down trees.

New Forest trees

Usually the Forestry Commission can get in and clean up after tree felling - but at the moment it's virtually impossible as conditions are so bad. It says it won't be possible to repair the damage and messy areas until the weather improves in the springtime. It also says timber production must continue, despite the weather, in order to protect local jobs.