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Right to roam 'eroding landscape' Call for countryside protection
(about 5 hours later)
The right to roam is contributing to the erosion of the countryside, a Conservative MP has warned. An action plan is needed to prevent countryside erosion if more people start exercising their right to roam, a Conservative MP has warned.
Commons Public Accounts Committee chairman Edward Leigh said, as a keen walker himself, he would urge others to explore the countryside. Commons Public Accounts Committee chairman and keen walker Edward Leigh said he would urge others to explore the countryside.
But he said new public rights, allowing access to designated mountains, moors, and downs in England, may be damaging the environment and spreading disease. But he feared the new rights, allowing access to mountains, moors, and downs in England, could cause further damage.
He also said little information was available about opened-up land.He also said little information was available about opened-up land.
Mr Leigh called for action plans to be drawn up to prevent further environmental damage or to impose emergency restrictions on access to land.
His comments come as a new report on the government's Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 is published.His comments come as a new report on the government's Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 is published.
If some tourist information centres have never heard of the right to roam, then clearly they need to be trained Edward LeighConservative MP If some tourist information centres have never heard of the right to roam, then clearly they need to be trained Edward Leigh
Mr Leigh said: "The many people who love walking in the English countryside will have rejoiced at the passing of the right to roam legislation."Mr Leigh said: "The many people who love walking in the English countryside will have rejoiced at the passing of the right to roam legislation."
However, he said it was not clear how many people were exercising their right and what might be stopping them.However, he said it was not clear how many people were exercising their right and what might be stopping them.
He also criticised the shortage of information, saying easy-to-understand sources, other than the internet, were needed.He also criticised the shortage of information, saying easy-to-understand sources, other than the internet, were needed.
"If some 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," he said."If some 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," he said.
Fellow Conservative MP Richard Bacon said if there was a danger of ramblers spreading infectious animal diseases, then the bio-security of farms and livestock must come first.Fellow Conservative MP Richard Bacon said if there was a danger of ramblers spreading infectious animal diseases, then the bio-security of farms and livestock must come first.
'Confusing website''Confusing website'
The report by the public accounts committee looked at the establishment of this new right and how it was working in practice.The report by the public accounts committee looked at the establishment of this new right and how it was working in practice.
It was based on evidence from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Natural England, which took over responsibility for open access from the Countryside Agency in 2006.It was based on evidence from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Natural England, which took over responsibility for open access from the Countryside Agency in 2006.
The report detailed how the project to open up new access land was completed in October 2005 with 99% of 865,000 hectares opened to people without dogs.The report detailed how the project to open up new access land was completed in October 2005 with 99% of 865,000 hectares opened to people without dogs.
It suggested difficulties accessing information on where to walk and on restrictions, such as lambing season, may have deterred some people from visits.It suggested difficulties accessing information on where to walk and on restrictions, such as lambing season, may have deterred some people from visits.
The Countryside Agency information website proved difficult and confusing to use, it said.The Countryside Agency information website proved difficult and confusing to use, it said.
There was also evidence in the report that more walkers might have a detrimental impact on the environment, flora and fauna.There was also evidence in the report that more walkers might have a detrimental impact on the environment, flora and fauna.
Open coastlineOpen coastline
Natural England is expected to publish its first annual report later this summer.Natural England is expected to publish its first annual report later this summer.
Earlier this week, the government announced it is to consult the public on plans to open up the whole of the English coastline to walkers.Earlier this week, the government announced it is to consult the public on plans to open up the whole of the English coastline to walkers.
This would allow access to about 30% of land currently out of bounds.This would allow access to about 30% of land currently out of bounds.
Natural England has said it will take into account recommendations made in this latest report, if they are to draw up plans to open up the coastline.Natural England has said it will take into account recommendations made in this latest report, if they are to draw up plans to open up the coastline.