Countryside: Access

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered at on 25 April 2025.

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Photo of Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Labour, Suffolk Coastal

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to (a) improve responsible access to nature and (b) increase the right to roam.

Photo of Mary Creagh Mary Creagh The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Our countryside and green spaces are a source of great national pride and boost public health and wellbeing, but too many across the country are left without access to the great outdoors. That is why the last Labour Government expanded public access by introducing the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which provided the public a right of access to large areas of mountain, moor, heath, down, registered common land and coastal margin in England.

We are continuing to increase access to nature for families to enjoy, for example through our ambitious manifesto commitments to create nine new National River Walks, plant three new National Forests, and empower communities to create new parks and green spaces in their communities with a new Community Right to Buy.

In addition, the Government has made the decision to repeal the cut-off date for the registration of historic rights of way, preventing the loss of hundreds of miles of unregistered paths. This will ensure that these paths remain available to the public for future generations.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes1 person thinks so

No2 people think not

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