Footpath work has always been at the heart of the RA. Right now badly stretched resources may prevent us fighting urgent legal cases, and the footpaths concerned could be lost forever...
You might remember our ground-breaking case against the notorious property tycoon van Hoogstraten. The legal fees and staff time devoted to fighting for this important principle ate up funds at an alarming rate, and our victory was due to your generosity as committed supporters.
We must now ask you to donate whatever you can to our Way Ahead Fund to help with more urgent court cases.
STOP THE PRESS!
The Ramblers’ Association has been granted leave to appeal to the House of Lords in the ‘Dorset’ case! (For more information on the case please see ../footpaths/footpathnews.html)
This case is crucial as we are already losing cases as a result of the adverse precedent that has been set and it is a real threat to proving the existence of rights of way in the future.
Furthermore, we believe the interpretation is contrary to the original intention of Parliament when it introduced the ‘20 years use’ rule for the dedication of highways. We need to get the ruling overturned so that landowners can’t scupper valid claims for rights of way with 'evidence' of which the public is completely unaware.
About 350 applications for leave to appeal to the House of Lords are made every year, but only about 100 are granted. The fact that the case has got this far shows that we have identified a point of law, of public importance, that warrants determination by the highest court in the land. The RA has never taken a case to the House of Lords before so the matter is one of great historical significance for us all. If we win, it will be an unprecedented victory. What a marvellous opportunity this is!
Our dedicated staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to secure this leave to appeal, and we really want to win this case, but we need your help to keep up the fight. Any donation you are able to make will help us ensure months of hard work are not lost now and in the future.
 | Our dream is to protect every right of way for the benefit and enjoyment of all. Without your support we could not continue our efforts to make this dream a future reality. So if you love our paths, and want to help preserve the right to enjoy walking in our beautiful countryside, please help us protect our precious path network for all to enjoy, today and tomorrow... Yours sincerely
Janet Davis
Head of Footpath Policy |
For footpath news, information on the case & action:
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/footpaths/footpathnews.html How to donate:
- Visit the Make a Donation page on our website
- By post - Please send cheques / postal orders / CAF vouchers (made payable to the Ramblers' Association) to:
Janet Davis' Legal Cases Appeal
Ramblers' Association
FREEPOST SE15
London SE1 7BR - By telephone - Please call 020 7339 8500 to make a credit or debit card donation
- GIFT AID IT! If you are posting a cheque, please print out this Gift Aid declaration and send it with your donation. Alternatively, we have an online form. This lets us claim an extra 28% of your donation from the Inland Revenue at no extra cost to you!
The Ramblers' Association is registered charity (number 1093577) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 4458492)
