Wiltshire’s Watercress Walk Is Now Recognised As A Public Path
The society is delighted that the Watercress Walk in west Wiltshire has been recognised as a public path, following a public inquiry in September. The route runs through woodland and by a stream east of Luccombe Mill in the parishes of Bratton and Edington and crosses land owned by Mr Henry Pelly of Luccombe Mill,…
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We fight common-land swap at the Canyons
We have objected to an application from Peakman Ltd to remove part of Mynydd Llanhilleth Common from the common-land register. This popular common is near Abertillery in south Wales. As part of its plan to extract aggregates from the nearby quarry, Peakman wants to widen the existing Blaen y Cwm road and create parking bays.…
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Parks under unprecedented pressure
‘Our public parks are under unprecedented pressure, 50 years after a law which was intended to protect and improve the countryside close to people’s homes.’ So declared our vice-president, Paul Clayden, at our annual general meeting in London today (5 July). ‘This week [3 July] we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Countryside Act 1968,…
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Campaign to reopen ancient Gloucestershire route
We are pressing Gloucestershire County Council to reopen the ancient Bentley Lane, which runs to the east of Southam village onto Cleeve Common. The lane has been blocked by gates since 2010. The old track is laid out in the Bishops Cleeve Inclosure Award of 1836 with a width of 30 feet. It leads directly…
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Eyesore rejected on much-loved Bridgend common
Welsh Ministers have rejected an application for timber posts on Pen Y Fai Common at Bridgend. The application for works on common land was made by Save Our Greenery, to prevent vehicles from parking on the common. The decision letter came from planning inspector Joanne Burston, on behalf of the Welsh ministers who determine applications…
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Badley Moor common, Norfolk, accessible at last
Dereham Walkers Are Welcome and the society are delighted that Mr Anema, the owner of Badley Moor common near Dereham in Norfolk, has erected a kissing-gate, giving access to the common. After some time when there was no effective access, a stile had been put up, but this failed to meet Natural England’s accessibility criteria…
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Jerry Pearlman: fighter for commons and paths
Our world of paths and commons would be very different but for the work of Jerry Pearlman who has died aged 84 on 9 March 2018, writes our general secretary. Jerry was honorary solicitor for the Ramblers for more than 30 years; he took on countless path battles and campaigned for freedom to roam on…
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We slate new Solihull road-scheme for neglecting walkers
We have objected to Highways England’s plans for the M42 junction 6 improvement scheme in Solihull. The junction is between the M42 motorway and the A45 and it serves Birmingham International station. The society is concerned about the loss of public access on foot as a result of the scheme. The proposal is for a…
Read MoreBooks make great Christmas presents
Do you know someone who loves the outdoors, perhaps enjoys walking, riding or cycling in our countryside, on coastal paths or in urban parks or green spaces? OSS has written, curated and sponsored a range of publications on topics including a history of public paths, how to register and protect a village green and an…
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We fight festival closure of Thames Path National Trail
We have objected to plans by the Henley Festival to close the Thames Path National Trail during the event which runs from Wednesday 11 July to Sunday 15 July 2018 Every year the Festival applies to Wokingham Borough Council, the highway authority, for the temporary closure of the path during the Festival, and the council…
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