Campaigners Push for Right to Roam in England’s Countryside
A campaign led by Slow Ways, a group advocating for better access to the British countryside, is calling for a legal right for people to walk along the edges of privately owned fields. This movement arises from increasing concerns about safety, as many rural residents currently have to navigate narrow, busy roads without pavements, posing significant risks.
A recent YouGov poll revealed that 71% of adults support the idea of allowing respectful walking along field edges to avoid dangerous roadways. Additionally, 40% of respondents expressed that they would be more likely to walk if a comprehensive network of paths existed. Currently, only 8% of England’s countryside is designated for open access, unlike Scotland, where all land is accessible under certain guidelines.
Dan Raven-Ellison, founder of Slow Ways, emphasized the dangers faced by pedestrians on rural roads, citing government statistics that indicate two pedestrian fatalities and 34 serious injuries occur weekly. He argues that establishing safe walking routes would not only reduce these incidents but also enhance the quality of life for the 10 million people residing in rural areas who currently feel isolated.
The campaign for expanded access has gained momentum through public protests advocating for a "right to roam," prompting the Labour government to repeal a previous Conservative policy set to cut off recordings of historical rights of way by 2031. With an estimated 40,000 miles of unrecorded paths in England, campaigners are urging the government to develop a cohesive and extensive national walking network to better connect these isolated communities to the countryside they cherish.
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs acknowledged the importance of accessible natural spaces and encouraged responsible enjoyment of the countryside.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
