Natural England

Operational Note - Nearly 50,000kms of Rights of Way Reopening - 18 May 2001

The Norfolk Coast Path and Peddars Way National Trails are the first long distance routes to reopen along their entire routes and the New Forest is mainly open for visitors, including camping from this week-end. Other National Parks are organising events and activities and many attractions are open in and around towns and villages 

The Countryside Agency is providing grants to help local authorities reopen rights of way closed because of the foot and mouth crisis. The Rights of Way and Access Land Recovery Fund was designed to assist authorities in accelerating the re-opening of such rights of way and access land and improving information to the public on what is open or not. 

For the latest information, regional maps and links to local authority web sites and other useful information check out the Countryside Agency website on www.countryside.gov.uk contact the relevant local authority or nearest Tourist Information Centre. The Countryside Access Hotline 08456 071 071 can provide further information on who to contact for further details.   

Notes to editors 

The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues affecting the social, economic and environmental well being of the English countryside. 

Details of Rights of Way, National Trails and national parks are attached. 

Rights of Way - situation at 17 May 2001 

NATIONAL PARKS IN ENGLAND AND THE NEW FOREST 

There are some access restrictions in all of the National Parks but there are still plenty of ways to enjoy them by visiting the many attractions in around the picturesque towns and villages. Some information about areas open for walking, horse-riding or cycling are provided below along with contact details for getting further information.   

The Broads 
The navigation is open, along with 99% of moorings. The only moorings closed are those with stock in immediate proximity. All the Authority's canoe hire, cycle hire, information centres, car parks and sites are open. Around 60% of paths are open including eight circular walks.   

CONTACT: Tel: 01603 610734 

New Forest Heritage Area
Most tracks and paths are open for walkers, horse-riders, cyclists and dogs on leads. Many of the car park sites which provide access to the forest and picnic areas are also open. A list of these can be obtained from the helpline below. Some of the camping sites are also open but check with the helpline or local touris information centres for details.   

CONTACT: Tel: Forestry Commission helpline 02380-286828 www.hants.gov.uk/newforest   

Peak District National Park
Paths open include: woodland paths through Macclesfield Forest, Ladyclough Plantation (off the A57 at Snake Pass), Langsett Woods and reservoir margins in the Upper Derwent Valley. Cycle hire centres and the climbing edge at Stanage Edge is also open.   

From Saturday 19 May people can return to the paths and climbing crags on the Roaches, near Leek and at Froggatt and Curbar. Extra rangers and volunteers will be on hand on Saturday and Sunday to explain where people can walk and climb. 

CONTACT: Tel: 01629 816200 Website: www.peakdistrict.org   

Northumberland National Park
All rights of way remain closed as new Foot and Mouth cases are being confirmed within the boundary of the Park. Two tarmac trails at the southern edge of the park near Hadrian's Wall area are being promoted as alternative walks for visitors.   

The National Park centre at Rothbury is open but the centres at both Once Brewed and Ingram are currently closed. It is hoped that the Once Brewed visitor centre will be open for the May Bank Holiday. Temporary information points have been established in several car parks.   

Four events will be held in May in and around small towns and villages and five events in June. The Hadrian's Wall Bus will begin to run on the 24th May.   

CONTACT: Tel: 01434 605555 Booking hotline: 01665 578248 www.northumberland-national-park.org.uk

Lake District National Park
Some sites and paths and the majority of byways are now open. Expect some high fell access within 3 weeks, however, there are still many access restrictions and the number of Foot and Mouth cases in the area is still increasing. There continue to be many other ways to enjoy the Lake District from its towns and villages. Information Centres can provide further information on activities and events. 

CONTACT: Tel: 01539 724555 Website: www.lake-district.gov.uk   

Dartmoor National Park
Small areas of ungrazed access land have reopened at Ramsley Hill, South Tawton and Blackingstone Rock near Moretonhampstead. A limited number of footpaths (3%) are open in the Upper Teign Valley, and near Gidleigh and on the edge of Ivybridge. Full details can be found on the National Park's website. 

CONTACT: Tel: 01626 832093 Website: www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk   

Exmoor National Park
One major footpath is open (4 miles) from Lynemouth to Watersmeet and up the Lyn to the Rockford Inn. A few paths are also open to the west of Minehead. The Park Authority aims to open other paths by the bank holiday at the end of May. 

CONTACT: Tel: 01398 323665 Website: www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk   

North York Moors National Park 
The Moorsbus is running which provides a 'clean and green' way to access the National park from 16 regional centres. Some events and activities, including free guided walks, are programmed for May and June, particularly along the coast. Contact the Moors Centre at Danby for further details (number below). Visitor centres and car parks are also open.   

Part of the Cleveland Way which runs through the National Park is open between Ravenscar and Scalby. There are very few other rights of way open at the moment apart from short stretches in urban areas and no moorland is open at present.   

CONTACT: Tel: 01609 532245 

Yorkshire Dales National Park
In addition to town and village visitor attractions a few short stretches of right of way have been opened. There is no open access land at the moment. A new Foot and Mouth outbreak around the Settle/Malham area will effect reopening of paths in the south west area of the Park. Two sections of path previously reopened have had to be closed. 

CONTACT: Tel: 01756-752744 Website: www.yorkshiredales.org.uk   

NATIONAL TRAILS IN ENGLAND 

Norfolk Coast Path National Trail 
Fully open. 

National Trail Manager Tim Lidstone-Scott 01328-711533 

Peddars Way National Trail
Fully open with some temporary diversions. 

CONTACT: Norfolk County Council Helpline 01603-222077 

National Trail Manager Tim Lidstone-Scott 01328-711533 

North Downs Way National Trail 
75% is now open, including most of the Surrey section from Farnham to Merstham via Guildford.   

CONTACT: National Trail Manager David Hiscock 01622-221525 

South Downs Way National Trail 
Paths remain closed for the time being, except for a short sections at Alfriston Village near the 'White Bridge', a 2-mile section at Birling Gap to Beachy Head and small sections to the east of Queen Elizabeth Country Park and around the centre of Winchester. 

CONTACT: (National Trail Manager not in post at present) 

Queen Elizabeth Country Park 02392-597618 

Sussex Downs Conservation Board 01903-741234 

Hampshire County Council 01962-846043 

Thames Path National Trail 
6% of this Trail is now open, including most recently the 11-mile stretch from Neigh Bridge in Cotswold Water Park to Castle Eaton. Previously opened sections are still open, ie: 

- 4.5 miles from Botley Road in Oxord to Sandford lock; 

- 3 miles from Reading to Sonning; 

- 3 miles from Henley to Aston; 

- 1.5 miles Benson to Wallingford; 

- 4 miles from Bourne End to Maidenhead; 

- 60+ miles from Bray Lock, just south of Maidenhead, to Thames Barrier. 

CONTACT: Information line 01865-810224 

National Trail Manager Jos Joslin 01865-810248 

The Ridgeway National Trail 
24% is now open, including: 

- 13-mile from south of Asbury east to Scuthamers Knob near East Hendred; 

- 5.5 miles North Stoke through Nuffield; 

- 7-mile section east of Watlington to the Oxon/Bucks border near Chinnor. 

CONTACT: Information line 01865-810224 

National Trail Manager Jos Joslin 01865-810248 

South West Coast Path National Trail
Sections of the Path are open - 25% of the Cornwall stretches, 45% of the Devon stretches, 24% in Dorset. Most of the stretches are short but there are a number of longer sections open in Devon (the Undercliff between Axmouth to Lyme Regis, Budleigh Salterton to Exmouth, the majority of Torbay, and Wembury into Plymouth to join with the Waterfront Walkway. In Cornwall, stretches on the Lizard Peninsula in South Cornwall and between Perranporth and St Agnes on the north coast are some of the longest. In Dorset Old Harry Rocks to South Haven Point is open.   

CONTACT: National Trail Manager Ros Love 01392-383560 

or the South West Coast Path Association 01752-896237 

Offas Dyke Path National Trail 
Whole length closed at present. 

CONTACT: Information office 01547-528753 

National Trail Manager Jim Saunders 01547-528192 

Cleveland Way National Trail 
Open between Ravenscar and Scarborough, Helmsley and Rievaulx and also between Cold Kirby and Sutton Bank.   

CONTACT: National Trail Manager Malcolm Hodgson 01439-770657 

m.hodgson@northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk   

www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ClevelandWay/index.asp 

Wolds Way National Trail 
The first 6.5 km is open from Hessle to North Ferriby. 

CONTACT: National Trail Manager Malcolm Hodgson 01439-770657 

m.hodgson@northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk   

www.nationaltrail.co.uk/YorkshireWoldsWay/index.asp   

Pennine Way National Trail 
Entire route still closed. 

CONTACT: National Trail Manager Steven Westwood 0113-246-9222 

Cotswold Way (Regional path, National Trail under development) 
Only urban sections are open at present apart from limited access over Painswick Beacon (1.4 miles), Stinchcombe Hill (2.5 miles), Cleeve Common (1.4 miles) and Bath Abbey to the Weston Recreation Ground (2.4 miles). 

CONTACT: National Trail Manager Jo Ronald 01452-425637 

cotsway@gloscc.gov.uk