Farmers lay down rules for public access

11 August 1998

Farmers lay down rules for public access

FARMERS have called for picnics, kite-flying and “any activities generating noise” to be banned on any land opened to public access under Government right-to-roam rules.

Kate Ashbrook, of the Ramblers Association, accused the farmers of being selfish and small-minded.

They were responding to a proposal to open up to 1.4 million hectares (3.5m acres) to the public as part of a shake-up of the 1949 Countryside Act.

Farmers rejected the ramblersclaims. A National Farmers Union spokeswoman said that they were worried about pollution, noise and disturbance to livestock.

The farmers response to the Governments consultation said that rights of access to open country should centre on an agreed network of marked paths and that local councils should be given powers to limit the numbers allowed access, to protect the tranquillity of certain places.

• The Times 11/08/98 page 4 (News in Brief)
• The Daily Telegraph 11/08/98 page 9