10 signatures reached
To: PARLIAMENT
AN ENGLISH/WELSH TRULY WALKING RIGHT TO ROAM
Left Wing Michael Meacher’s Right to Roam policy (2000 Act) needs to be extended so that one can walk on any “cart” tracks and farm land (subject to exceptions), akin to Scotland’s 2003 legislation.
Why is this important?
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, DEMAND A TRULY, UNIVERSAL RIGHT TO ROAM SIMILAR TO THE SCOTTISH 2003 LEGISLATION.
The English and Welsh countryside needs to be opened up for recreation and leisure. Walking/rambling is one of the top pastimes and it is very important for mental and physical health (e.g. combatting Depression, obesity). Walkers/ramblers greatly respect and value wildlife and the British countryside. Many species are facing extinction. Former Minister of State for The Environment, Labour’s Left Wing (the late) Michael Meacher’s Right to Roam policy (2000 Act) needs to be extended so that anyone can (responsibly) walk on any “cart” tracks and farm land (subject to exceptions), akin to Scotland’s 2003 legislation. Michael’s Act only provided limited access to the countryside, via relatively small areas called “Access Land.”
Michael also created the South Downs National Park. This has been its saviour, as it protects the beautiful Downs from the current ravages to the countryside by almost unfettered developments. Changes in the Planning Laws (and Government policy) unleashed the developers. They love to build upon Green Field Sites, often in beautiful rural locations, to maximise profits. The unique British countryside is a major attraction for the Tourist Industry.
Greater local access to the countryside, generally, should reduce the stress on the National Parks (e.g. The Lake District) through overuse (e.g. erosion of foot paths). There should be greater financial support for environmental groups, conservationists, rural education and the farm industry, especially small farmers. This would be part of the “deal.”
Historically, under the Enclosure Acts since the 18th century, the “gentry” and landowners “stole” the land from the “common people.” True Right to Roam would give some recompense for these past injustices. Arguably, many farms have been bought over and over again by the Public Purse, through subsidies. Since the 19th Century, there was a strong lobby for the Nationalisation of land (Fabian pamphlet 1958), although this is not the aim of this petition. Although aimed to be discussed in Parliament, political parties might wish to include the principles behind this petition in their manifestos.
Vic Parks June 2017
The English and Welsh countryside needs to be opened up for recreation and leisure. Walking/rambling is one of the top pastimes and it is very important for mental and physical health (e.g. combatting Depression, obesity). Walkers/ramblers greatly respect and value wildlife and the British countryside. Many species are facing extinction. Former Minister of State for The Environment, Labour’s Left Wing (the late) Michael Meacher’s Right to Roam policy (2000 Act) needs to be extended so that anyone can (responsibly) walk on any “cart” tracks and farm land (subject to exceptions), akin to Scotland’s 2003 legislation. Michael’s Act only provided limited access to the countryside, via relatively small areas called “Access Land.”
Michael also created the South Downs National Park. This has been its saviour, as it protects the beautiful Downs from the current ravages to the countryside by almost unfettered developments. Changes in the Planning Laws (and Government policy) unleashed the developers. They love to build upon Green Field Sites, often in beautiful rural locations, to maximise profits. The unique British countryside is a major attraction for the Tourist Industry.
Greater local access to the countryside, generally, should reduce the stress on the National Parks (e.g. The Lake District) through overuse (e.g. erosion of foot paths). There should be greater financial support for environmental groups, conservationists, rural education and the farm industry, especially small farmers. This would be part of the “deal.”
Historically, under the Enclosure Acts since the 18th century, the “gentry” and landowners “stole” the land from the “common people.” True Right to Roam would give some recompense for these past injustices. Arguably, many farms have been bought over and over again by the Public Purse, through subsidies. Since the 19th Century, there was a strong lobby for the Nationalisation of land (Fabian pamphlet 1958), although this is not the aim of this petition. Although aimed to be discussed in Parliament, political parties might wish to include the principles behind this petition in their manifestos.
Vic Parks June 2017
