Members of the public are being invited to tell the Government us what they think should happen to regulations and why, asking:
• Should they be scrapped altogether?
• Can they be merged with existing regulations?
• Can we simplify them – or reduce the bureaucracy associated with them?
• Have you got any ideas to make these regulations better?
• Do you think they should be left as they are?
The Ramblers is particularly concerned that entire Acts dedicated to protecting the environment, and people’s enjoyment of it, are included in the list of so-called “burdensome regulations”.
Adrian Morris, Ramblers Head of Campaigns has declared that the organisation will fight strongly against moves by government to reduce the protection of the environment or people’s ability to access and enjoy it.
Adrian says “The idea that entire Acts dedicated to protecting our countryside, the air we breathe and the places where we walk and live, could be described as red tape seems almost farcical. Whilst a review of legislation to ensure that the environment is fully protected and can be enjoyed by all more easily is to be welcomed, the idea that these laws could be cut away like red tape with no consequences for ourselves and future generations shows a short-sighted lack of understanding of the importance of laws which protect our environment for all.”
What can you do to show the Government that this exercise is ill-thought out and trivialises vital environmental protection?
Firstly please visit the consultation website and tell the Government how important it is that the environment is protected and that public access to it is enshrined in law.
In addition, if you want to suggest ways in which current legislation could be improved in the spirit of the Government’s consultation then please suggest the following:
• The Government should implement the recommendations of the Natural England Stakeholder Working Group. The Group, which was set up following the demise of the ‘Discovering Lost Ways’ project, has unanimously recommended a package of legal and procedural improvements in relation to unrecorded public rights of way (see here for details). The Group’s report has been with Government for more than a year now but no attempt has been made to take its proposals forward.
• Review and amend the requirement to advertise legal notices in newspapers (for example, notices advertising orders to change the public rights of way network) so that the notices can be published on council websites, a far cheaper option. (The requirement for site notices and service on prescribed organisations would remain.)
If you would like any further information on what to include in your response please contact the Walking Environment team at walking.environment@ramblers.org.uk.
