They have often bitterly complained about the restrictions put upon them, but soon ramblers will be allowed to enjoy the natural delights of another four million acres of mountain, moor and heath across Britain under statutory rights announced yesterday, Rachel Donnelly writes.
Signalling the introduction of legislation to extend public access to the countryside of England and Wales, the Environment Minister, Mr Michael Meacher, told MPs in the Commons the statutory right to roam would be balanced by "proper and reasonable limitations" to ensure the rights of landowners were protected. The legislation will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time permits - probably in time for the next election - and is a victory for the walkers who feared the government had experienced a last-minute change of heart. Brushing aside speculation Labour would not honour its manifesto pledge, Mr Meacher said reports of a U-turn were simply "ill-formed" speculation. "We are convinced that legislation is the only way to make sure people will be free in perpetuity to explore open countryside."
The Tories said they supported increased public access to the countryside, but the shadow environment secretary, Mrs Gillian Shephard, warned the government's solution would satisfy no one. The Tories had wanted a purely voluntary scheme whereby ramblers negotiated access with landowners and Mrs Shephard predicted the proposed legislation would "further divide town and country".