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Freedom to Roam Legislation
The Government is introducing the new right of Open Access on a regional basis in England during 2004-2005. The act
creates a new legal right of access on foot to areas of open, uncultivated countryside allowing walkers to explore away
from paths on approximately four million acres of mountain, moor, heath, down and common land in England and Wales,
(it does not convey any new rights to cyclists and horse riders).
The first six regions, the South East, Lower North West, Central Southern England and the Upper North West, North East
and Wales have been opened for access, with the rest of the country to follow. Although it does not apply to Scotland.
CRoW (The Countryside and Rights of Way Act) provides the public the opportunity to wander away from paths without
trespassing to see and visit particular views and special features, as in many places there are no paths to take us
across open country.
Walkers are advised to use the new Ordnance Survey Explorer maps which have been relaunched in conjunction with CRoW.
Eventually all OS Explorer Maps will show access land, the new ones for the Lakes came in last week in conjunction with
the access law coming in on the 28th May. Access land is indicated by light yellow areas surrounded by a narrow pale
orange border and the light magenta dashes are the new way national park boundaries will be shown.
There may still be some restrictions, landowners can close their land for 28 days a year for any reason, including weekends,
they can also apply for further closures for health and safety, land management and fire risk. There may also be closures
to protect wildlife and historic places. Information on local closures and restrictions are available from the relevant
local authorities and national park authorities or by contacting the open access contact centre on 0845 100 3298.
For further information click on the following links :
www.openaccess.gov.uk
www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
Call us on +44 (0) 1539 432 297 for further details.
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