Rural Affairs

Chapter 11: Increasing Enjoyment of the Countryside

Walking in the Countryside

Status key:-

Completed - completed
Revised - revised
On track - on track
Redundant - redundant

RWP Commitment RWP Ref Achievements/next stages Date Status Lead
Ensure people have the right of access for recreation on foot to mountain, moor, heath, down and common land 11.2.1 The mapping of open country and registered common
land has progressed as follows:

Draft maps:
South East and Lower North West
Central Southern England.
Upper North West.
North East
South West
West
East of England

Provisional maps:
South East
Lower North West.
Southern England
Upper North West
North East
South West
West

South East - Conclusive Map



Nov 01
Sept 02
Dec 02
Mar 03
May 03
Jun 03
Sept 03



Oct 02
Nov 02
May 03
Aug 03
Nov 03
Mar 04
May 04

May 04		 On track Countryside Agency
Minister announces the timetable for the introduction of the new right of access to open land announced. April 04
Confirmed:

South East
Lower North West

Planned

Central Southern
Upper North West
North East
South West
West
East

19/9/04
19/9/04



Dec 04
May 05
May 05
Aug 05
Oct 05
Nov 05
Target date for finalised maps Dec 05 Defra - CYD
Decision not to introduce regulations on removal or relaxation of restrictions and emergencies. May 2004
Consultation paper on references to public places in existing enactments Aug 2004
Regulations on appeals related to notices to come in to force Aug 2004
Regulations on public places to come into force Oct 2004
Consultation paper on review of conclusive maps to be issued  
Encourage landowners to dedicate land as permanently open to walkers and other users 11.2.2 Issued consultation paper on regulations under section 16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Jan 2002 Completed Defra – CYD
Regulations on dedication to come into force September 2003
Guidance issued for dedicators Jan 2004
Forestry Commission to increase the area of its own woodland open to the public and encourage other landowners to do the same 11.2.2 The Forestry Commission has continued to support landowners providing access to their woodlands through the Woodland Grant Scheme. Between 2000/01 and 02/03 36,430 hectares of woodland access has been supported. In addition the Forestry Commission is testing a new approach to grant aiding woodland in the South East under the Woodland Welcome pilot. The approach of the pilot has informed the development of the access component of the England Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS). Pilot grant scheme launched  November  2002 Completed Forestry Commission
Forest Enterpise, on behalf of the Forestry Commission,  provides open access on all its freehold land and 1162 hectares of leasehold land has been purchased to secure public access between 2000 and 2002 1162 ha of leasehold purchased between 2000 /02
The Forestry Commission has supported the Woodland Trust in developing a GIS database of publicly accessible woodland. The Woods for People dataset will enable a more strategic approach to supporting access to woodlands and greenspace initiatives and will underpin the access element of the Regional Forestry Frameworks Data set available September 2003
Increase and promote access to canal network 11.2.2 Revised Waterways Access for All guidance is currently being prepared for internal use by British Waterways’ staff. This is being undertaken in parallel with new guidance being prepared for countryside managers by the Countryside Agency and partners. This work links closely with the revision of the British Waterways’ Waterway Standards which will make them more focused towards customer activity. These Standards should be published in autumn 2004 Ongoing from Autumn 2003 onwards On track Defra - MW
Access for All improvements to the towpath at Gamston have been completed, as part of ongoing work to encourage recreational use of the Grantham Canal corridor between Nottingham (River Trent) and Grantham. Similar work on the same canal has also been completed in partnership with Rushcliffe BC, with landfill tax support, where interpretation has also been provided to promote better use and understanding of the canal environment. In North Staffordshire implementation of the Canals and Connecting Routeways Project has commenced, with a budget of £5million to upgrade towpaths and canal access. Access for all is an integrated part of the work, which emphasises important urban rural linkages and access to the countryside around the northern part of Stoke-on-Trent. These are typical of the improvements being carried out across the country by British Waterways and our partners.
Increase the amount, quality and certainty of access to MoD land 11.2.2 Implementation of Defence Estates Strategy Ongoing On track Defra - CYD/

MoD
Statutory opening of coastal land 11.2.2 The Government is committed to a full consultation and Regulatory Impact Assessment before considering whether to extend the right of access by Order to coastal land.

Ministers have made clear that they intend to take account of experiences implementing of the right of access to open country and registered common land before considering whether to exercise the power to extend access to coastal land.

Review case for Order following implementation of the right of access to open country		   On track Defra – CYD
Implementation of Rights of Way aspects of Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 11.2.4 Defra have provided Countryside Agency with £1m per year to support research;
Countryside Agency has completed feasibility study;
Countryside Agency has complete business plan;
Establish pilot Archive Research Unit;
Establish ROW Claims Trust.		 Annual

Mar 02
Jun 03
Apr 04		 On track Countryside Agency /
Rights of Way Improvement Plan provisions brought into force. Regulations commenced and Statutory Guidance issued to all Local Highway Authorities in England 21.11.02 Nov 2002
February 2004		 Defra – CYD 5
New powers for the courts to order that obstructions be removed.  Regulations due to be commenced shortly Ongoing
Crime prevention provisions commenced 12.2.03, First phase of areas designated on 22 September 2003. Anticipate further applications and designation Orders to be made periodically, as the need arises. July 2004
Consultation on restricted byways ended on 18 December 2003. Next steps to draft and make necessary regulations to implement this new category of right of way. Dec 2003
Government announced on 9 December 2003 will not be implementing section new 34A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 due to human rights difficulties. Published new proposals for primary legislation to regulate extent of motorised use on rights of way: Government consultation paper ‘Use of mechanically propelled vehicles on Rights of Way’. Consultation ends 19 March 2004. 2004-05
Put in place relevant secondary legislation for most of the remaining provisions. 2005
Ensure 10% improvement in defining, maintaining and publicising Rights of Way network. 2005
Rights of Way Improvement Plans to be incorporated into Local Transport Plans.  
Monitor performance of highway authorities 11.2.4 Rights of Way Condition Survey 2000 published. Dec 2001 Completed Countryside Agency
CA has provided Defra with the baseline data from the Rights of Way Condition Survey 2000. 2001 Defra / Countryside Agency

Recreation for All

RWP Commitment RWP Ref Achievements/next stages Date Status Lead
Improve countryside around towns 11.3.1 4 research projects now completed.  4 further research projects in progress. Autumn 03 On track Countryside Agency
Countryside Agency presented its Urban/Rural Fringe to Ministers in ODPM and Defra that has been followed by Countryside Agency working in provision in Partnership with Groundwork.  The vision will go to consultation in the winter and be launched in the Spring. Spring 04
During 04/05 a toolkit to help external partners achieve apply the vision to their exiting plans, strategies and management processes, will be developed. Through-out 04/05
Growth Areas
Our plan to influence development in the growth areas to enhance the rural/urban fringe and improve links between country and town is being finalised. We have been encouraged by those responsible for growth, including ODPM. We are developing partnerships and a suite of advice on how to deliver sustainable development.		 Through-out 03/04 - onwards
Improve green spaces in local communities 11.3.1 We have published 15 case studies.  They highlight some of the issues faced by community groups creating their own greenspace.  We will return and report on the case studies in 2005. Jan 03 Completed NOF/Countryside Agency
We have launched the Greenspace Learning Network. The network will link urban and rural communities with each other along with greenspace professionals. BTCV and New Economics Foundation have been trained as facilitators. The network has 370 members. Ongoing
260 Project Preparation Grant offers have been made to date. Applications to first stage grants is now closed. Dec 03
165 Creation Grants have been offered to date, totaling £9m. Living Spaces are contributing to 5 Doorstep Greens totaling £300,000. Dec 03
English Partnerships and CabeSpace have joined the DG Grants Panel Dec 03 Forestry Commission
Better maintained and up-to-date country parks, accommodating more sporting and other facilities 11.3.1 Health check and phase I of the action programme for country parks has been completed. Summer 02 Completed Countryside Agency
Key recommendations form an integral part of the report entitled “Towards a country park renaissance”. Pub. Jul 03
Support for Country Parks network to share good practice agreed to October 2005 Jul 03
The Countryside Agency and Countryside Recreation Network ran 2 seminars to publicise the findings of the report from phase 1 and aid information sharing. Jul & Sept 03
Best practice guidance on Country Park management published on web site. Oct 03
Seek funds for Country Parks network including extension of HLF’s ‘Public Parks Initiative’ Jul 04
Test minimum standards for Country Parks in 10 parks Sept 04
Revise guidance to give local planning authorities a clear framework for more sport and recreation provision 11.3.1 Achieved - issued draft revision of planning guidance on Sport, Open Space and Recreation (PPG17) for consultation. March 2002 Completed Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Achieved Issued final version of planning guidance Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation (PPG17).  (see also entry for chapter 9 (9.2.4 above) July 2002
Achieved Companion Guide to PPG17 published. Sep 2002
Further adoption of Community Forest approach and consider how it can be used to assist other regeneration, forestry and community-based initiatives 11.3.1 Monitoring and evaluation Framework finalised and guidance circulated. May 03 On track Defra/ Countryside Agency / Forestry Commission
“Dry” run Monitoring and Evaluation exercise complete and “Report on Initial Successes and Lesson Learnt” circulated Jun 03
REACT Project officers internal learning network meeting. Sept 03
First “live” Monitoring and Evaluation exercise to commence. Oct 03
The REACT project based in the Thames Chase Community Forest received a NHS Modernisation Award. Oct 03
Final version of the Monitoring and Evaluation Annual Report (02/03) to be produced Jan 04
“Glossy” Summary Monitoring and Evaluation leaflet produced. Feb 04
National seminar held to discuss findings of the First Monitoring and Evaluation Report Mar 04
Publish Codes of Practice for walkers and for landowners to accompany new statutory access rights 11.3.7 A new Country Code is being developed by the Agency: Aug 01 On track Countryside Agency
External consultation on the Code with stakeholders completed Aug 03
External consultation on the Code with public underway Aug – Sept 03
Launch Countryside Code. Summer 04
Establish National Access Database on the internet 11.3.7 Feasibility study completed. Oct 02
 On track Defra – CYD / Countryside Agency
Defra and Countryside Agency submitted bid to HMT that was rejected. Feb 03
The Agency is discussing next steps with Defra colleagues. Ongoing
Seek other funding opportunities including RDAs. Jul 04
National standards for electronic definitive maps of public rights of way agreed.  This could potentially form an important component of a national dataset that is kept up to date by LAs. Oct 04
Carry out full diversity review, of how we can encourage more people with disabilities, from ethnic minorities, from inner cities and young people to participate in countryside activities 11.3.8 Diversity Review is concerned with creating recreation opportunities for all, including people from black and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and young people. 2002 – 03 On track Defra – CYD /
Countryside Agency
Scoping research commenced in Aug 02, seminar in Feb 03 and completed Mar 03. Mar 03
OJEC procedures completed, and the Gateway process initiated. Aug 03
Countryside Agency Finance Department and Defra approved final business case Ongoing
Gateway process progressing well; gate 2 currently underway and will be assessed in view of the finalised business case. Sept 03 Countryside Agency
Diversity Review Project Board established with inaugural meeting on 5 Sept 03. Includes Defra representative. Sept 03
Research briefs being drafted for the national evidence-gathering phase. Sept 03
Scoping Research Note prepared and published end Sept 03 Dec 03
Capturing Richness document approved by Countryside Agency Executive and currently with Countryside Agency Web team for preparation prior to placing on Countryside Agency website. Dec 03 CA/Defra
Defra approval received for project briefs. Dec 03 Countryside Agency
2nd board meeting held. Dec 03
Contract let to develop evaluation framework following Gateway 3; Jan 04
Contract let to undertaken national research into awareness that providers have of the needs of under-represented groups; following Gateway 3  
Whole Diversity Team in place from 5/1/04; Jan 04
Society Guardian article “What’s unusual about this scene”; Feb 04
Evaluation framework seminar held; Feb 04
Two of the four Action research projects finalised; Mar 04
3rd Board meeting held Mar 04
Interviews for Factors Affecting Participation research; Mar 04
Contracts for Factors Affecting Participation research; Apr 04
Seminar held with providers as part of provider research Apr 04
Produce strategy for optimising recreational possibilities of water 11.3.11 Research Report published. Dec 2001 Revised Defra - CYD
Countryside Agency recently completed a feasibility study on extending access to water for canoeing by voluntary agreement with landowners. Four sites were selected for detailed assessment. Report to be published by end of May. Ministers to decide whether detailed agreements should be negotiated on the selected sites. 2002/03

Page last modified: 19 May, 2005
Page published: 10 December, 2002

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs