Everyone has until 11 February 2002 to look at and comment on the Countryside Agency’s draft maps of ‘open country’.
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One month left to comment on ‘right to roam’ maps – 11 January 2002

Everyone has until 11 February 2002 to look at and comment on the Countryside Agency’s draft maps of ‘open country’* - mountain, moor, heath and down land - and registered common land in the south east** and lower north west*** of England.

The Countryside Agency has been consulting the public since 12 November about the maps, which are the first stage in determining where people will be able to walk under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000.

Bob Roberts, head of access policy at the Countryside Agency, said: “We have been pleased with the response to this consultation in its first couple of months.   Over   2,500 people have visited the roadshows we have held around the lower north west and south east, the last of which is taking place today.   Our website has also been extremely busy since November and so far we’ve received around 600 comments.

“But, it’s important to continue emphasising that these maps are drafts and we are still very keen to hear from anyone who thinks that we have either included a piece of land which does not fit the definitions of open country or registered common land, or have excluded land that does fit.   The general public only have until 11 February   to comment on the draft maps for these regions.

“There are plenty of places where people can look at the maps including some local council offices and libraries, as well as being able to see them on our website: www.countryside.gov.uk/access/mapping.   All parish councils in the areas that have been mapped have a copy of the maps that cover their parish.   People can return comment forms online, pick them up at the venues they visit to view the maps and post them to us or call our information line and ask for a comment form to be sent to them.   The information line - 0845 100 3298 - will also direct people to the nearest place where they can see the maps and answer other queries that people may have.

“After the consultation closes in February we will carefully consider every comment we’ve received and decide whether we need to make alterations to the draft maps.   In June we will publish ‘provisional maps’ of the south east and lower north west, which will include any changes.   People with a legal interest in the land will be able to appeal to the Secretary of State if they feel that errors remain.   The new rights and responsibilities will come into force after conclusive maps are issued and when the Secretary of State gives the go ahead.”

  - ends -

* Areas of open country which have access restrictions on them due to, for example, Ministry of Defence activity, will be identified on the Countryside Agency’s maps as open country.   Access restrictions that are currently in place will continue to apply when new access rights are invoked.

** South east - Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex and outer London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton.

*** Lower north west - Lancashire (excluding a small area north of the A65), a small part of Cumbria south of the A65, part of North Yorkshire (including Craven), part of West Yorkshire (including Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees), Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and parts of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire in the Peak District National Park.

Notes to editors:

For further information please contact Julia Bailey or Nigel Ellway in the Countryside Agency press office on 020 7340 2909 / 7.

  • A list of venues where maps are on display for the public to view is available on request.
  • The open access provisions are not in force yet.   When they are, the right will not apply to land used for the intensive rearing of livestock.    Nor will the right apply to any land where a prohibition on entry is in force under the Animal Health Acts.    Emergency directions can also be made under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) excluding or restricting access.
  • Mapping of all open country and registered common land across England should be complete by autumn 2004 and people should be able to walk on this land by spring 2005.
  • The provisional maps have been prepared with help from specialist mapping consultancy Binnie, Black & Veatch, using a variety of data, for example the moorland line compiled by MAFF and the Phase 1 habitat surveys carried out by local authorities, as well as aerial photography and the various Commons Registers.
  • The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues relating to the social, economic and environmental well-being of the English countryside.
  • Under section 4 of the CRoW Act 2000, the Countryside Agency is charged with the production and issue of conclusive maps indicating areas of open country.