Landscape protection, recreation and public access: Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW)
Local access forums are advisory bodies established under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 ("the Act"). They provide independent advice on public access to land, for open air-recreation and other 'functional' or 'utility' purposes.
There are over 80 forums covering almost the whole of England. There are no forums in London or the Isles of Scilly.
Local access forums have a wide remit in advising access authorities (local highway authorities and National Park authorities) and other bodies (such as Government departments, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, English Heritage, Sport England, AONB Conservation Boards, district councils, town and parish councils) on managing the public's right of access to open country and registered common land, management and improvement of public rights of way, as well as public access issues more generally within the local area
The bodies to which it is the legal function of forums to give advice are collectively known as "section 94(4) bodies". Section 94(4) bodies are legally required to have regard to relevant advice from a forum.
The Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007 No 268) set out detailed provisions on the operation of forums and replace the earlier regulations made in 2002.
Contacting your local access forum
Each forum meets at least twice per year, but generally more often. Members of the public are usually entitled to attend meetings and may be permitted to speak.
Basic information, and contact details for most forums in England , is available on the Natural England website. To find out about your local forum, and when the next forum meeting is to take place, you should contact the appointing authority - this will be the local highway authority (it is usually best to ask for the Rights of Way team or Countryside Service) or National Park authority. Some local access forums have their own web page.
Forum membership
Forum members are appointed by the appointing authority (the local highway authority or a National Park authority) to represent the interests of people who use the right of access to open country and registered common land, and public rights of way, as well as owners/occupiers of land affected. Members can also be appointed to represent other interests relevant to the area such tourism, sport or nature conservation.
Members serve in a personal capacity to represent interests rather than particular organisations. The appointing authority must ensure there is a reasonable balance between user and landowners/occupier interests.
How to become a forum member
Vacancies will be advertised locally. Members are selected by the appointing authority which will need to maintain a reasonable balance of interests. Contact your local highway authority or National Park authority to find out when vacancies are expected to arise.
Members are unpaid although may be reimbursed for travel and subsistence costs, or for expenses incurred in the care of children or dependents.
Guidance for forum members and local authorities
In 2007 the Secretary of State issued revised Guidance on local access forums. This replaced guidance issued in 2002 and is intended to guide the work of forum members. The Guidance will also be relevant to appointing authorities, forums secretaries, section 94(4) bodies and anyone wanting to find out about the role and work of forums.
Further information, and hard copies (or an audio copy) of the Guidance, can be obtained from:
The Public Rights of Way Team,
Defra
1/02
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Bristol BS1 6EB
Tel: 0117 3728427 (E-mail: rights.ofway@defra.gsi.gov.uk)
Further Guidance
Letter to all LAFs about Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs)
[56 KB]
Background information on the Statutory Framework
Local access forums are established under sections 94 and 95 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 . Section 94 imposes a duty on local highway authorities and National Park authorities ("appointing authorities") to establish forums for their area. Section 95 contains supplementary provisions relating to the appointment of members and other matters.
The Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007 No 268) set out detailed provisions on the operation of forums.
The text of recent UK legislation (including both the Countryside and Rights of Way Act and the Local Access Forums Regulations) can be viewed online in the UK Statute Law Database (but note the limitations which apply to the information presented on the website).
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Page last modified: 20 April 2007