Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:36 AM GMT
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-10-31T093627Z_01_KNE134391_RTRUKOC_0_UK-BRITAIN-RAMBLE.xml&archived=False
http://tinyurl.com/9kwf5
LONDON (Reuters) - Ramblers will be able to walk across over 6,000 sq miles
of land in England and Wales from Monday when new rights to countryside
access come into force.
The right to roam powers, which campaigners have been demanding for more
than 100 years, allow people to walk freely across mapped access land
without the need to stick to paths.
About 935,000 hectares of mountains, moors, heaths and common land -- in
total about 7 percent of total land and much of which was previously
off-limits, will now be open, the Countryside Agency said.
"People can have fun exploring more of England's beautiful and varied
landscapes," said Pam Warhurst, the agency's deputy chairman.
"The Countryside Agency, and the Countryside Commission before it, has
worked to increase opportunities for public enjoyment of the countryside for
over 50 years and this new right of access is a major landmark in working
towards this."
Opponents of the new rights feared ramblers would end up using incorrect
areas or damaging farmland and the Countryside Agency has spent four years
mapping the country in consultation with landowners
..
Campaigners said the freedom to roam was based on a simple principle that
all citizens should have the right to walk freely on any open land.
"We are delighted that the public now have the right to enjoy so much
countryside," said Kate Conto of the Ramblers Association.
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