Breadcrumbs
New Countryside Code launched today - 12 July 2004
Respect – Protect - Enjoy
Aardman, the Academy-award winning animation company has created new ‘Creature Comforts™’ characters to help the Countryside Code reach the widest-possible audience. Animated public service broadcasts, featuring the new characters in coastal, farmland and moorland scenes, will be screened on TV channels across England and Wales, and at selected cinemas and outdoor venues from today. Educational materials, specially developed for teachers and youth leaders, will be available from January 2005.
- For the first time the Countryside Code includes a special section for land managers.
- The full Code text is available in leaflet form or online at www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
The updated Countryside Code - messages for the public:
* Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs
* Leave gates and property as you find them
* Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
* Keep dogs under close control
* Consider other people
Pam Warhurst, chair of the Countryside Agency said: “We have all grown up with the Code and most people can remember at least one line. Just as Norman Thelwell created popular cartoons to illustrate the original Code in the 1950s, we’ve teamed up with Aardman to create a ‘Creature Comforts’ campaign. We want to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy our countryside whilst giving them confidence in their new rights and responsibilities and respect for those who depend on it – respect, protect, enjoy.”
To help people plan where to go and what to do in the countryside, a new website is also launched today. www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk not only has advice on the new public right of access to open country and registered common land, but also provides details of national trails, national parks, rights of way and links to many related organisations.
· The website also features a special section on the Countryside Code, including the Aardman animation sequence which has been produced in English and Welsh.
· Copies of the Countryside Code leaflet with full explanatory text will be widely available but people can get a free copy by logging onto www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk or by calling 0845 100 3298.
Notes to Editors:
For interviews, copies of the logo, the animated public service broadcasts created by Aardman, photographs and details of nationwide filming opportunities, please contact the Countryside Agency press office on 020 7340 2909.
1. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) charged the Countryside Agency with mapping areas of open country (mountain, moor, heath and down) and registered common land in England and with developing a new Countryside Code. The new public right of access will be invoked by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on a region by region basis from 19 September this year, allowing people to start enjoying some of the new opportunities available in south-east England (mapping area 1) and the lower north-west (mapping area 2), the first two areas of England to be mapped. The rest of the country is planned to follow by the end of 2005.
2. The new Countryside Code was developed in consultation with key groups including: Association of National Park Authorities; British Horse Society; Country Land and Business Association (CLA); Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs; English Nature; Environment Agency; Forestry Commission (England); Local Government Association; National Farmers’ Union (NFU); National Trust; Ordnance Survey; Ramblers’ Association; RSPB. The text has been tested and approved by the Plain English Campaign.
3. The new Countryside Code will be the same in Wales and the Code will be launched on 21 July. The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) is responsible implementing the CRoW Act, although the new public right of access will start in Spring 2005. For more information contact Meinir Wigley in the CCW press office on 07720 428644 www.ccw.gov.uk/
4. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 establishes statutory rights of access to land and inland water for outdoor recreation. The new rights are expected to come into force later this year. The new Scottish Outdoor Access Code will provide guidance on responsible behaviour for recreational users and on responsible land management in relation to the new rights www.snh.org.uk
