"The study by Forest Research, which is a government-funded quango, found that 73% of English woodland is publicly inaccessible. The research also found that more than a third of the trees on the Woodland Trust's ancient tree inventory are inaccessible to the public. Many woodlands are off-limits as they are used for business interests such as pheasant shoots and timber plantations."
"While in opposition, the Labour party committed to a Scottish-style right to roam, under which anyone could walk around the countryside as long as they left no trace and did not disturb farmland. However, after being lobbied by landowner groups, the party U-turned on this. The government instead announced it would create nine river walks and three national forests."
"The Right to Roam campaign is planning a series of mass trespasses in woods across England during March and April. At these events, dozens of people gather to go on an illegal walk and picnic on land usually off-limits to the public. The campaigners are demanding the government introduce a right-to-roam bill to give the public responsible access in the countryside."
Forest Research found that nearly three-quarters of England's woods are off-limits to the public, with over a third of ancient trees on the Woodland Trust's inventory inaccessible. Many woodlands remain closed due to business interests including pheasant shoots and timber plantations. The Woodland Trust advocates for greater awareness of these precious plants, though most require trespassing to visit. Campaigners demand a right-to-roam policy similar to Scotland's system. Labour previously committed to this but reversed course after landowner lobbying, instead proposing nine river walks and three national forests. The Right to Roam campaign organizes mass trespasses across England to protest restricted access and demand government legislation enabling responsible public countryside access.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]