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Open Spaces Society
celebrates the start of freedom to roam
Today, 19 September 2004, the Open
Spaces Society joined the hundreds of people who celebrated their new freedom
to roam responsibly on mountain, moor, heath, down and registered common land
in the south east and lower north west regions of England. Our general
secretary Kate Ashbrook joined the celebration in the Peak District National
Park, and many other members of the society walked freely on areas of open
country for the first time by law.
Says Kate Ashbrook: 'Our society was the first to campaign for the right to
walk on all common land, a recommendation endorsed by the Royal Commission on
Common Land in 1958 but not implemented until now. We have also lobbied,
alongside other organisations, for that freedom to be extended to mountain,
moor, heath and down.
'It is wonderful that the right is at last taking effect and people can now
walk away from paths in two regions of England without fear of trespassing.
'The right of access takes effect in the central southern region of England on
14 December this year, and the remaining five regions thereafter until
November 2005. In Wales, access comes in a big bang next summer.' Links to other sites concerned with Freedom to Roam:
Ramblers' Assn.
Countryside Agency
DEFRA
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