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Call for countryside protection | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
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 and keen walker Edward Leigh said he would urge others to explore the countryside. | |
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. |
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 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 coastline | Open 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. |