As well introducing the new right of access the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) also allows landowners to voluntarily dedicate land as access land.
Any land can be dedicated as access land which means the benefits of the CRoW can be extended to areas which do not automatically qualify as access land.
Even areas of land where the public already enjoy de facto access can be dedicated. This would ensure that the access offered is protected for generations to come. The first dedication ever was by a Ramblers' Association member Dennis Nisbet, who dedicated a wood in his ownership in Shropshire for public access. The occasion was marked with a visit from the Rural Affairs Minister, Alun Michael MP.
Very soon after CRoW became law the Forestry Commission started the process of dedicating all it's freehold land as access land. By January of 2006 this had lead to secure public access of 136,122 hectares of woodland.
Landowners may also use section 16 to extend the right of access on access land or other dedicated land to other users - such as horse-riders or cyclists - by agreeing to remove or relax the limitations on activities listed in Schedule 2 of the Act. One incentive to landowners to dedicated land is that it will remove the legal liability towards anyone injury by the natural features of the land or improper use of any wall, fence or gate. However this does not apply in cases of any deliberate harm or recklessness by the landowner.
Detailed information about the dedication of land can be found on the DEFRA's dedication pages
If you know of any land which you think may be suitable for a dedication then please let us know and we will do what we can to help. freedom@ramblers.org.uk
