The long-running campaign for a right to roam across the British countryside took a step forward today with the publication of draft maps covering the North West and South East of England.
The maps show areas of mountain , moor, heath and down which are likely to be opened to ramblers, much of it for the first time. They were published today on the Countryside Agency's web site and have also been sent to councils and public bodies.
There will now be a four month consultation period with a series of public meetings across the two regions. Revised maps will then be published with the definitive maps due to be available by January 2003.
The mapping process is part of the Countyside and Rights of Way Act which received the Royal Assent last year.
The so-called Right to Roam was opposed bitterly by farmers and landowners who feared that ramblers would damage property and destroy wildlife. There have been threats of legal action if the Countryside Agency tries to classify areas of farmland as "access" land.
One of the first people to see the draft maps was John Lees, secretary of the Peak Park Moorland Owners and Tenants Association.
Mr Lees manages about 10,000 acres of moorland including Langsett Moor, a popular area of the Peak District National park in South Yorkshire.
He immediately spotted two areas of land he said were used by farmers for lambing. He predicted that objections would be lodged immediately over the draft inclusion of the fields as access land.
Mr Lees also criticised the Countryside Agency for failing to consult with landowners and for their refusal to issue draft maps to all landowners.
But Bob Roberts, head of access with the agency , said they would now consult widely with all affected parties. Anyone had to right to object to the draft maps, including any walkers who believed more land should be included
LINKS
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for your area at the countryside agency - www.ca-mapping.co.uk/mapping
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