New horizons for walkers
| Published: 26th April 2007 11:12 |
New horizons for walkers
Vast stretches of South West countryside previously off-limits to walkers are being opened up to the public from the end of August 2005 as part of new open access arrangements brought in by the Government.
Hundreds of square miles of countryside across the South West of England are being opened up to walkers when new public rights of access are introduced in Devon, Cornwall and western Somerset.
On Sunday 28th August over 200 square miles of moor, mountain, heath, down and registered common land in the three counties will be declared 'open'.
The land, which was previously off-limits to the public, will now be open for people to walk freely, without the need to stick to designated paths.
The opening up of new walking routes under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 has been a controversial measure with many landowners concerned that farmland will be damaged and privacy infringed.
Often referred to as the 'right-to-roam', the Country Land and Business Association has stressed that the new legislation does not give the public unhindered access to all private land.
The act 's not a right to roam freely
The new rights extend to most open-air recreational activities carried out on foot, including walking, wildlife-watching, climbing and running.
But they do NOT include riding a horse or bike, water sports, or camping, unless prior permission has been granted.
Walkers are reminded that access restrictions are permitted to protect public safety, enable proper land management, to reduce fire risk and protect livestock or important nature habitats.
Special rules apply to pets in some places - especially at breeding times. For instance dogs must be kept on a short lead during the ground-nesting bird breeding season from 1st March to 31st July and at all time near farm animals.
The South West is the sixth English region where the new rights are being introduced. The roll-out began in September 2004 and will be completed by the end of October this year.
"The arrival of 'open access' can only add to the region's appeal," explained Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive South West Tourism.
"We are lucky to have a very rich range of coast and countryside, and to have so many land owners and managers who are willing to let walkers cross their properties. But sometimes the best walks and vistas have been a local secret."
To celebrate the South West launch, a wide range of walks is taking place on the Sunday of August Bank Holiday weekend and in the following two weeks - many of them taking in countryside that was off-limits to the public before.
In Devon the line-up includes a guided moorland walk close to Great Mis Tor, a six mile tour of the Clinton Devon Estate and a walk along the Henroost Mine track from Venford Reservoir.
In addition, Ordnance Survey is bringing out a new series of 1:25 000 OS Explorer Maps showing where open access land lies and new information boards will be going up across the region.
Map-makers at Ordnance Survey have used information supplied by the Countryside Agency to clearly show the new 'open access' areas, using a light yellow tint surrounded by a narrow, pale orange border.
The first South West OS Explorer Maps to use the new colours will be on sale by the end of August, covering Exmoor, Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, many of the most popular coastal areas, and the Blackdown and Quantock Hills Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Full details of the arrangements can be found at the Countryside Agency website, which also contains the Countryside Code and special tips for dog owners.
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