Popular path at Ashby de la Zouch reopened
A long-closed footpath in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, has today been reopened, thanks to the efforts of campaigners, including the Ashby Footpaths Group and North West Leicestershire MP Amanda Hack. Footpath O89, part of an ancient route which runs from the new Money Hill car-park to the top of North Street, has been closed…
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Welcome steps for access—but where is the timetable?
The society is pleased that the government has set out some encouraging steps for more and better public access in its Environmental Improvement Plan (published 1 December), but we want to know when they will happen. We welcome the government’s plans to ‘consult on measures to ensure that everyone has access to nature close to…
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‘Step up for access’: call to government on landmark law’s 25th anniversary
On the 25th anniversary of the landmark Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act[1] , we challenge government to celebrate its predecessor’s achievement—and to act now to improve people’s access to the countryside and green spaces. Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary, is speaking at a national conference, Freedom to Roam; the Next Step, at Hebden…
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We win path improvements in Herefordshire
We are delighted that our local correspondent in Herefordshire, David Howerski, has won some valuable improvements to public paths. He has reported over 250 rights-of-way defects in the county since January 2025. In addition to reporting problems to the county council, Dave writes to the parish councils asking for their help and influence with local…
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New village green at Maes Glasfryn, St Davids, Pembrokeshire
We are celebrating the generosity of brothers Malcolm, Andrew and Stuart Gray, who voluntarily registered some of their land as a village green. This is at Ty Glasfryn (known locally as Maes Glasfryn) in the heart of the city of St Davids, Pembrokeshire, and it is thereby protected for ever for local people to enjoy.…
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Green spaces rescued from damaging law-change
We are delighted that a damaging amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, proposed by Lord Banner and others, was dropped. The amendment aimed to remove long-standing public rights on green spaces when the land is sold by a local authority. It was debated in the House of Lords on Monday night (3 November) but not then moved. We had urged peers to oppose it and are highly relieved that the amendment…
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Public rights on green spaces to be expunged?
An amendment[1] to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, due to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday 3 November, aims to remove long-standing public rights on green spaces when the land is sold by a local authority. We are urging peers to oppose it. The amendment would make it much easier for local…
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Wiltshire councillors must reject rail-crossing closure
Update from 09 October 2025: We are delighted that Wiltshire councillors have rejected Network Rail’s proposed closure of the Penleigh level-crossing in Westbury. The Western Area Planning Committee unanimously opposed the plan at its meeting on 8 October (you can watch it here). The proposal was to close the direct, 20-metre path across the railway…
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Clyne Common, Swansea, saved from housing development
The attempt by the Duke of Beaufort’s Somerset Trust to take part of Clyne Common at West Cross for housing development has finally been refused. The deputy minister, Huw Irranca-Davis, has rejected the trust’s application to deregister 2.8 hectares on the eastern side of the common (the ‘release land’) and replace it with 3.4 hectares…
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We celebrate our Herefordshire volunteer’s law degree
Our local correspondent for south Herefordshire, Dave Howerski, has obtained a law degree from the Open University. Dave was inspired to study for this through his voluntary work for the society, campaigning for public paths, threatening legal action, and persuading Herefordshire Council to carry out its statutory duty to protect and maintain them. Dave, who…
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