Access laws ‘baffle’ tourism staff

Staff in some tourist information centres have never heard of the right to roam, a Conservative MP has warned.

Edward Leigh, chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said that as an enthusiastic walker himself he urged “as many people as possible to explore the open countryside”.

But he warned that information on opened up land can be hard to find and the new rights have led to erosion and wear and tear on the countryside.

Mr Leigh spoke out as the committee published a new report on the Government’s Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000, which introduced a public right to walk across designated mountain, moor, heath, downs and registered common land in England.

He said: “The many people who love walking in the English countryside will have rejoiced at the passing of the right to roam legislation and the Countryside Agency’s subsequent successful opening up to the public of large areas of land. What is not clear yet is how many people are actually exercising their new right and what might be deterring some of them from doing so.

“As an enthusiastic walker, I urge as many people as possible to explore the open countryside.

“Information on opened up land can be hard to find. However, easy to understand sources of advice other than the internet are necessary and if some staff in tourist information centres have never heard of the right to roam, then clearly they need to be trained without delay to deal with questions from walkers.”


But he also warned of possible damage to the environment.

He said: “The right to roam is not an unalloyed good. Walking across moors, heath and downs can lead to wear and tear on the fabric of the countryside and a heightened risk of passing on infectious animal diseases. Action plans for preventing further environmental damage or for imposing emergency restrictions on access to land must be drawn up.”

Mr Leigh was speaking as the committee published its report - based on evidence from Defra and the Chief Executive of Natural England - which examined the establishment of this new right and how it was working in practice.

Conservative MP Richard Bacon (South Norfolk) said: “I welcome the opening up of land for the enjoyment of the public. However, if there is a danger of ramblers inadvertently spreading infectious animal diseases, then the bio-security of farms and livestock must come first. I urge the Government to listen to farmers’ concerns and ensure the right to roam does not pose a threat to biosecurity.”

http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/committee_of_public_accounts.cfm (Commons Public Accounts Committee)

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/(Natural England)