INFORMATION to help landowners and managers in the North West to manage the new public access rights to open country and registered common land has been published by the Countryside Agency.
The new rights, which will generally allow the public to walk over mountain, moor, health or down and registered common land, will be introduced in September, and landowners and managers need to know the rules in advance.
Changes are being brought in under the Countryside & Rights of Way, or CROW, Act.
In East Lancashire Landowners in the Ribble Valley especially will be affected by the change.
The 'Land managers' guidance pack' provides advice on how to successfully manage public access, guidance on the restrictions system, how to apply for a restriction and the application forms, and a guide to legal liability under the CROW Act.
There are various ways to manage the new access rights, including using legal powers from the CROW Act to restrict public access where necessary.
Landowners and managers who are affected by the new rights and feel they need to use these powers to restrict access will be able to apply to do so from March 3.
The advice can be viewed on the Countryside Agency's website at www.countryside.gov.u
k/widerwelcome/open_access - along with further information about the new access rights.
Alternatively, call the open access helpline on 0845 100 3298 to order a pack or for more information.
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