Country access Bill submitted

11 July 1997




Country access Bill submitted

PRESSURE for greater access to the countryside has been stepped up following the submission of a 10-minute rule Bill by Labour MP Paddy Tipping.

Mr Tipping, who is a vice-chairman of the Ramblers Association, said he would be calling for access to mountain and moorland regions, but that the representations of the Country Landowners Association would be taken into account.

The Bill will be heard on July 23, and is expected to coincide with a consultation paper on access from environment minister Michael Meacher.

Nick Way, CLA political adviser, said the organisation was opposed to changes to access legislation.

"The CLA is still of the opinion that access by legislation is not the way forward. Our preferred method is to improve access by voluntary management, which is more flexible to meet the demands not just of walkers but of the many users interested in access to various parts of the countryside."


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