‘Another move to turn the countryside into a free-for-all for ramblers’: Farmers slam new Countryside Code which tells them to make rights of way more accessible, use clearer signage and swap stiles for self-closing gates
- Landowners issued with new recommendations in updated Countryside Code
- The guidance includes making rights of way more accessible for visitors
- Farmers slam the changes, claiming countryside will become ‘free-for-all’
- It follows increase in dog waste and littering as visitors soared over lockdown
Farmers have slammed changes to the Countryside Code telling them to make rights of way more accessible, use clearer signage and swap stiles for self-closing gates.
New guidance, published today by Natural England, aims to ensure ‘visitors to the countryside can enjoy it in a responsible way’.
It includes advice for farmers on making rights of way more accessible for ramblers amid a recent increase in the numbers of visitors to rural areas, as well as guidance on reporting antisocial behaviour and livestock worrying.
Landowners have also been recommended to add self-closing gates instead of stiles, a step to help scale a fence, in order to assist visitors.
The code was updated for the first time in a decade in April last year in response to an increase in litter and dogs worrying livestock as the number of people visiting the countryside soared over lockdown.
Today’s changes aim to help ‘avoid damage to property, livestock and wider anti-social behaviour’.
However, the new guidance has instead stoked fears of the countryside turning into ‘a free-for-all for ramblers’.
Farmers have also said it should be ‘up to them what works best for their farm’.
Sarah Lee, Director of Policy at the Countryside Alliance, said the updated code has ‘put an onus on landowners’, rather than ramblers, and pointed to concerns over the cost for farmers.
She added: ‘The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns lead to more people getting out and enjoying the countryside which was welcome.
‘However, sadly, there were numerous reports of littering in beauty spots and livestock being spooked by dogs off the lead which in turn, could have heightened anxiety among some living and working in the countryside. Reminders of responsible access are, therefore, always welcome.
Updated guidance to the Countryside Code aims to ensure ‘visitors to the countryside can enjoy it in a responsible way’
Littering increased during the pandemic as visitors flocked to rural areas to enjoy the countryside in lockdown. Pictured: Litter at Highcliffe Beach
Litter on the Formby Beach sand dunes in Liverpool during lockdown as ramblers flocked to the countryside
National Trust rangers and volunteers clear a mountain of rubbish dumped in a stream on Marsden Moore
A huge amount of litter dumped in the historic Welsh countryside of Gelligaer Common
The key changes to the Countryside Code announced today
New guidance has been issued for land managers ‘to help the public enjoy the countryside responsibly’. It includes:
- New guidance on keeping rights of way usable, with recommendations on cutting back vegetation and keeping public waterways clear
- Instructions on where visitors can walk freely
- Guidance on reporting anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and noise disturbances
- Guidance on managing and protecting livestock
‘This new guidance for landowners provides many welcome additions, such as advice on reporting anti-social behaviour and how to report fly-tipping, however, it also puts an onus on landowners to replace stiles with gates.
‘Stiles have multiple uses from providing a stock proof barrier while allowing people to move freely and it should be up to individual farmers what works best for their farm while welcoming visitors.
‘We would also be concerned over the cost to the farmer of changing field access points. It might be the case that money will be available through the new farming schemes to make land more accessible, but that is not clear at this stage.
‘It is important to remind visitors that each of us have a personal responsibility to abide by rights of way and respect that the countryside is a full time place of work for many.”
Stuart Roberts, deputy president of of the National Farmers’ Union, also said the refresh was needed to address issues over visitors ‘ensuring dogs are under control and dog waste is binned’.
He said: ‘It’s important to ensure everyone who visits the countryside is provided with greater awareness of the need to keep safe and responsible as well as the role farming plays in shaping our much-loved working farmed landscapes.
‘The NFU has been working closely with Defra and Natural England on a refresh of the guidance for farmers and land managers to bring the Code up to date and help address an increase in access-related issues such as keeping to public rights of way, ensuring dogs are under control and dog waste is binned.
‘The new guidance will help to ensure that the modern-day rights of way network benefits both farmers and the public.’
It comes as one landowner was hauled before a court last week after using razor wire and chains to stop walkers using a public footpath near her home.
Frances Payne, 56, became embroiled in the bizarre row with ramblers whom she accused of causing ‘constant’ problems such as taking drugs, assaults, thefts and vandalism on a beauty spot in Evesham, Worcestershire.
Under the new guidance, landowners have now been given recommendations on making rights of way more accessible for ramblers, including adding self-closing gates instead of stiles.
Marian Spain, chief executive of Natural England, said: ‘This refreshed advice for land managers has never been more important in helping to ensure we work together to protect our outdoor spaces.
‘I urge all land managers to follow this new advice and continue to help make nature accessible to everyone.’
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