23 August 2005
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
South West (Area 6) Launch 28 August 2005
More opportunities for exploring the special qualities of Dartmoor
As from 28 August 2005, public access to open country on Dartmoor will extend for some 47,000 ha (50% of the National Park). Of this total, 32,500 ha comprises common land. Arising from the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, the public has had a legal right of access on foot and horseback to the Dartmoor commons for the last twenty years. In addition, public access has been secured by access agreement to approximately 5,200 ha. From the 28 August, new legal access on foot to areas of open country mapped under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 will offer further opportunities to explore Dartmoor's special qualities, its wildlife and cultural heritage and its landscape diversity.
Nick Atkinson, Chief Executive, Dartmoor National Park Authority, said:
'The open access opportunities in the South West of England provide a wonderful and diverse resource for local residents, day visitors and for those from further afield. Open access on Dartmoor, and elsewhere in the South West, adds to the quality of our lives, and contributes significantly to local economies through appropriate recreation and tourism activities.
Dartmoor is a great place for exploration because of the beauty and variety of its landscape including open moorland, forests and reservoirs, farmland, steep sided river valleys, and picturesque villages and towns, and because of its wealth of wildlife and rich legacy of the past.
Access to open country has been successfully managed on Dartmoor for many years. This has been achieved through on the ground maintenance, signing and monitoring, information provision, and through the understanding and co-operation of landowners and visitors. Local experience will ensure that the new access opportunity enjoys similar benefits.'
The Dartmoor National Park Authority, with the Dartmoor Local Access Forum, has just published Walking on Dartmoor, a free booklet to help visitors and residents find out more about:the different types of access you have to the Dartmoor countryside including its open and enclosed moorland areas, its farmland, woodland and forests;
new access opportunities on Dartmoor arising from the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 as from 28 August 2005;
useful advice for your safety, information on the Countryside Code and taking Moor Care, and advice for dog owners;
where to find more information on enjoying Dartmoor.
Visitors and residents looking for more information on walking on Dartmoor, and other activities including cycling, horse riding, canoeing, climbing, camping and watching wildlife, are encouraged to call in at one of the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Information Centres: High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown (open all year, tel: (01822) 890414), Postbridge, Haytor or Newbridge (minimum opening Easter - end of October). Staff will help you with your access enquiries including where to go, when you can go, what you can do, and how you can help to look after Dartmoor.
The High Moorland Visitor Centre is currently showing an exhibition on the work of the Authority's Ranger Service which includes information on the CRoW Act 2000.
The Dartmoor National Park Authority’s web site ( www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk ) also has a useful section on the CRoW Act 2000 and what it means for Dartmoor. 14 Information Sheets give a wealth of related information and there is a useful section on what restrictions will be in place for the months ahead.
Importantly, two areas where specific restrictions are in place include the West Dart River between Two Bridges and Huccaby (access with dogs is at all times restricted on some parcels of CRoW Act open country), and on Coombe Down on the north eastern flank of Hamel Down.
The West Dart dog restriction is in place, following a period of consultation, to prevent disturbance to the sensitive wildlife present in the river valley. The area is a site of particular importance for otters and also contains prime salmon spawning grounds. Dartmoor National Park Authority will review this restriction before August 2008. The restriction does not affect rights of way and it does not apply to guide dogs or hearing dogs. The restriction only affects CRoW access rights.
Dartmoor National Park Authority is also temporarily restricting access to part of Coombe Down until works have been carried out to make safe open mine shafts in the area.
People can find out more about access to open country by visiting the following web sites:
www.openaccess.gov.uk - for updates on closures and restrictions, and where to go;
www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk gives full details of the arrangements for the new public right of access to open country in South West England and also contains special tips for dog owners, alongside a wealth of ideas on where to go and what to do in the English countryside. A list of South West access launch walks can also be reached from the site. Other features include a fun zone where there are games and competitions for children; or they can phone the national Open Access Contact Centre helpline 0845 100 3298 (9am - 5pm Mon - Fri) for enquiries about new rights of access (for land managers and visitors).
The new Ordnance Survey Explorer Map for Dartmoor (OL28) will also depict access land in the National Park. Map-makers at Ordnance Survey have used information supplied by the Countryside Agency to clearly show open country areas, using a light yellow tint surrounded by a narrow, pale orange border (The first South West OS Explorer Maps to use the new colorations will be on sale on 28 August, covering Exmoor, Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, many of the most popular coastal areas, and the Blackdown and Quantock Hills Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Ends
For Further Information
Dartmoor National Park Authority
Jeff Haynes, Director of Understanding and Enjoyment: tel 01626 832093
John Weir, Head of Communications: tel 01626 832093
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer - External Relations: tel 01626 832093
Countryside Agency
The Countryside Agency has issued a News Release covering the regional commencement – dated 22 August 2005, entitled Walking into history. It can be viewed on-line at www.countryside.gov.uk
For Countryside Agency media enquiries, please contact Pam Beddard, Regional Publicist, 0117 987 0442 or 07767 621207, or Matthew Heard, Countryside Agency press office, on 01242 533 476.
Ordnance Survey press office
Bryn Jones
E-mail: bryn.jones@ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2708
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are now available on the Authority's website
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority
News Releases from all UK National Parks
Notes for editors
The South West is the sixth English region where the new access rights will be introduced. The rollout of the rights began in the South East and Lower North West regions of England on 19 September 2004 and will be completed by 31 October this year when the final two regions come on stream.
Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CRoW) 2000, the Countryside Agency was tasked with the mapping of all areas of open country and registered common land. It estimates that over 1 million hectares (400 square miles) of land in England will be mapped by the time all open access arrangements are completed at the end of 2005. Of this total, some 800,000 ha (3,200 square miles) will be land which up until now has had no statutory rights of access.
The new law aims to balance the needs and responsibilities of both the public and land managers whilst providing this unique opportunity.
The new rights cover most recreational activities which can be carried out on foot including walking, climbing and running. They do not allow for horse riding, cycling or the driving of any type of vehicle, nor do they allow activities such as camping, para and hang gliding, the use of metal detectors and water activities including swimming, boating or canoeing. However, where such activities already take place, they remain unaffected.
Farmers and landowners have discretionary powers to limit access to the public on their CRoW Act open country land for 28 days in a year, and may apply for long term restrictions where necessary for land management, safety or fire prevention reasons.
The ground-nesting bird breeding season lasts from 1 March to 31 July, and during this period dogs are required to be on a short lead on CRoW Act access land.
Full copies of the Countryside Code are available from many visitor and tourism outlets throughout the area or from the Countryside Agency website at www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk.
Public access on Dartmoor
Dartmoor National Park Authority’s access role
On Dartmoor, the National Park Authority is largely responsible for managing access to open country and the rights of way network. It aims to help you make the most of your visit, and to ensure that the landscape is protected, by providing signs, gates, stiles and information. It works closely with land managers and farmers, and in partnership with organisations making specialist use of the moorland, such as education and conservation groups. It also promotes the use of public transport and opportunities for access for all.
The Dartmoor Local Access Forum
This is a statutory and independent forum set up by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It brings together the views of landowners, recreation users and other special interests. The Dartmoor Local Access Forum (LAF) provides advice to the National Park Authority, and also to the local highway authority and government agencies, on all access and countryside recreation issues. The Forum comprises people drawn from a range of backgrounds including walking, climbing, cycling, riding, land owning, farming, conservation, education, rural businesses, and specialist or minority interests.
For information about the LAF contact localaccessforum@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Return to General Interest News Releases 2005 Archive
This page last updated 23 August 2005
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