News archive 2004
Official: Walking reduces festive
health harm [22 December 2004]
It’s official! Walking can lessen the effects of high fat intake on the body.
Research carried out by Glasgow University has found that a long walk before
eating a calorie laden Christmas feast can reduce the damage done by consuming
too much fat...Read more
Tuesday 14 December: An
historic day as the Right to Roam launches in Central Southern England [13
December 2004]
The Ramblers' Association (RA) is preparing to celebrate the third regional
instalment of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CRoW) covering Berkshire,
Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and parts of Somerset and
Gloucestershire on Tuesday 14 December...Read
more
Ramblers celebrate as 'van
Hoogstraten legal loophole' is closed [09 December 2004]
A legal loophole at the heart of Britain’s most famous illegally blocked
footpath case, Framfield 9, the ‘van Hoogstraten footpath’, was recently
closed by the passing of the Highways (Obstruction by Body Corporate) Bill
through both Houses of Parliament...Read
more
Jungle Queen Still Has Time To
Limber Up For Nation’s Favourite Walking Festival [06 December 2004]
She may not have been crowned queen of the jungle but Janet Street-Porter -
snake-charmer, camp cook and Ramblers’ Association vice-president - can
celebrate freedom by taking part in her charity’s annual walking event...Read
more
Ramblers’ release public guidance
to tackle blocked footpaths [30 November 2004]
Local Authorities will need to put their public rights of way network in order
or face the prospect of frequent court visits, warns the Ramblers' Association
(RA) today....Read more
Ramblers' Association
statement regarding the Hearing Appeal by SIr Ranulph Fiennes into the mapping
of 'access land' on his estate [25 November 2004]
An appeal in Dulverton, Somerset is set to establish if land mapped as 'open
country' under the 'right to roam' legislation on the estate of Sir Ranulph
Fiennes opens tomorrow...Read
more
Government plans for rural
railway lines threaten some vital rail links beloved by generations of
walkers [23 November 2004]
Rural railway lines, often heavily used by walkers, are under threat after
yesterday’s decision by Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling, to launch a
review of rural rail services in an attempt to make those that are currently
least-used pay their way...Read
more
Put health and vitality at the top
of your Christmas list this year [22 November 2004]
Xmas may seem to start earlier and earlier these days, but the message from
the Ramblers' Association this Xmas is that you can't start soon enough when
it comes to health and well-being...Read
more
Green spaces are getting better
for the walking public [11 November 2004]
A record number of English and Welsh parks and public green spaces have
attained the Green Flag scheme’s national standard for green spaces...Read
more
Gloucestershire
walkers urged to help police [11 November 2004]
Gloucestershire Constabulary are calling on walkers to help them tackle the
growing problem of illegal hunting in the county...Read
more
Wanted: Hill walking
weatherman to save lives [15 October 2004]
Perhaps one of the most unusual and bizarre jobs in England is being
advertised by the Lake District National Park Authority, but be warned, only
the very fit need apply...Read
more
Race watchdog sparks controversy
with claim that there is "passive apartheid" in rural Britain [11 October
2004]
The Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Trevor Phillips, has
sparked controversy by claiming that there is "passive apartheid" in rural
Britain that is driving people of minority ethnic communities away from the
countryside...Read more
Rising obesity level blamed
for dramatic increase in cases of Type 2 diabetes [07 October 2004]
New statistics from Diabetes UK have highlighted a dramatic increase in the
number of Type 2 diabetes cases in the UK. The risk of developing Type 2
diabetes increases by up to ten times in people with a body mass index of more
than 30, and the rise in cases is directly attributable to rapidly rising
numbers of people who are overweight or obese...Read
more
Ramblers walk with
neighbours in Europe-wide walking event [05 October 2004]
September saw the first ever international
Walking with Neighbours day,
when members of the European Ramblers' Association celebrated walking by
organising events with walkers from different countries, different regions, or
simply from different walking groups...Read
more
The Lake District National Park Authority clamps
down on illegal off-roading and the damage caused to fragile rights of way
by legal off-roading [01 October 2004]
Two new initiatives have been unveiled by the Lake District National Park
Authority in an attempt to clamp down on the illegal activities of some
off-roaders, and the damage that has been caused legally to one of the
Park's most famous high level routes...Read
more
Off-roaders force closure of scenic route in Lake
District National Park [29 September 2004]
One of the most scenic high level routes in the Lake District National
Park, Garburn Pass, has been forced to close due to sever damage caused by
4x4s and trail bikes. Garburn Pass is a bridleway with duel status
as a 'byway open to all traffic', giving recreational off-roaders the
right to drive there due to an ancient law...Read
more
'Right to roam' announcement gives walkers an early
Xmas present
[28 September 2004]
More good news for walkers as the Government announce access to open
country in Region 3, Central Southern England, will be available to
walkers under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act in time for
Christmas...Read more
British
Telecom intends to cull over 3,000 rural telephone boxes, a situation that
the Ramblers' Association claims could lead to increased safety fears for
visitors to the countryside [24 September 2004]
BT's plans for scrapping rural pay phones have come under fire. With
3,000 phones earmarked for removal, the Ramblers' Association is warning
that lives could be put at risk in isolated areas that don't have mobile
phone coverage...Read more
As the 'right to roam' becomes reality, the
Ramblers' Association picks its top ten new walking areas in the Lower
North West and South East regions of England [14 September 2004]
On Sunday 19 September a new legal right to walk in open country is
launched in two regions of England, this will mean that walkers have
access to some of our most beautiful and historic landscapes for the first
time in nearly 200 years. Here we highlight some of the best sites
to exercise your new right, and your legs...Read
more
An historic day for the nation lies in store as the
'Right to Roam' becomes law [02 September 2004]
The process of opening tens of thousands of acres of our wildest and most
beautiful countryside to walkers starts on 19 September 2004, as the
historic Right to Roam is launched in the first two regions of England...Read
more
Millets Welcome
to Walking Week set to welcome thousands to walks around the country [18
August 2004]
The Ramblers' Associations annual walking festival, Welcome to Walking
Week, kicks off in a months time with over 400 free walks open to all.
The festival welcomed over 10,000 people last year and it is expected to
grow in popularity this year...Read
more
Freedom to roam boost as Government announce extra
access management funds for Local Authorities [13 August 2004]
A two year extension to the Access Management Grant Scheme is welcomed by
the Ramblers' Association as a significant step to ensuring the smooth
implementation of new access rights to open, uncultivated country...Read
more
Lives put at risk by Highways Agency 'Safe Road
Crossings' budget cuts [08 August 2004]
Massive budget cuts in the Highways Agency 'Safe Road Crossings Plan' is
proof that the government is playing 'fast and loose' with the safety of
walkers, cyclists and horse riders, argues the Ramblers' Association...Read
more
Ramblers member becomes first private landowner in
the country to dedicate land for public access [03 August 2004]
A wood on a Shropshire hillside became the focus of attention recently
when the Minister for Rural Affairs, Alun Michael, was on hand to help
celebrate the first dedication of private land for public access to be
made under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act...Read
more
Common Agricultural Policy reform links £1.7 billon
in agricultural subsidies to keeping footpaths open and usable [22 July 2004]
The Government has announced a set of new environmental standards for
agriculture in England in a 'cash-for-better-environmental-practices'
package brought about by the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy
(CAP), with the aim of giving the nation a countryside everyone can
enjoy...Read
more
Government announces sweeping changes to how the
countryside is run [21 July 2004]
The government has published its Rural Strategy 2004, containing
recommendations that follow up the Haskins Report of last year. The
strategy seeks to link nature conservation and landscape protection in one
body for the first time, but the move has met with criticism from some
environmental groups...Read
more
London takes the initiative to make its streets safe
for pedestrians and cyclists [16 July 2004]
London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, has welcomed a new report that focuses a
harsh light on the current conditions for walking and cycling in the city.
The Transport for London commissioned document points the way to creating
a much better balance between the needs of walkers, cyclists and cars...Read
more
Ramblers welcome updated Countryside Code [12
July 2004]
With a key message of "Respect - Protect -
Enjoy", the new Countryside Code is much more welcoming and includes
advice to land managers, replacing the old rules which have been in
existence for over 50 years...Read
more
Coronation Street to get Britain On The Move [06
July 2004]
The nation's
favourite soap Coronation Street is stepping out to inspire millions of
viewers to walk their way to better health by joining ITV's Britain On The
Move Campaign...Read
more
As the Government announce the first National Park for 50 years, the
Ramblers' Association voices concern about the areas not included within
the boundary of the park [28 June 2004]
The Ramblers' Association is welcoming the governments announcement today
that the New Forest is to be the first national park of the twenty-first
century, but argues that areas in need of the same degree of environmental
protection have been left out of the park to appease developers...Read
more
Ramblers'
Association statement regarding the public inquiry concerning access land
on Ashcombe House Estate [18 June 2004]
The national walking charity is delighted that half of the land contested
at the public inquiry has been classed as open country and that walkers
will have access to 54 hectares of beautiful downland...Read
more
Will
the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy save England's footpaths? [15
June 2004]
A golden opportunity to enforce rights of way law throughout England has
presented itself through 'cross-compliance' proposals being made as part
of wider Common Agricultural Policy reforms...Read
more
Hill farmer who barred public from one of Dartmoor's
most popular sites is prosecuted for breaking environmental protection
laws [11 June 2004]
The farmer who caused uproar when she closed Vixen Tor in the Dartmoor
National Park to the public has been prosecuted and fined for illegal
intensive agricultural improvement of environmentally valuable grassland.
However, the area still remains closed to the public...Read
more
Government consultation on the reform of the Common
Agricultural Policy presents a 'golden opportunity' to improve the
condition of England's rights of way network [10 June 2004]
If the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs remains firm in
the face of pressure from groups representing landowning interests, the
walking public may finally see some direct public benefit from
agricultural public subsidies under new proposals for the reform of the
Common Agricultural Policy...Read
more
Welsh footpath dispute comes to final conclusion [07
June 2004]
A bitter twenty year dispute over the legitimacy of a footpath that
crosses a farm in the Ceiriog valley in Wales has finally been resolved in
favour of walkers. The family who farm the land had were guilty of
abusive language and behaviour towards walkers who tried to use the
footpath, one Ramblers' Association member was attacked by the farm dog...Read
more
Ramblers celebrate inaugural National Parks Week [04 June
2004]
The Association of National Park Authorities is launching the very first
national celebration of our 13 National Parks. National Parks Week
will highlight the diversity as well as the beauty of National Parks, and
the Ramblers' Association will be participating by hosting a series of
walks...Read more
Ramblers' Association to put spotlight on Welsh Local Authorities who
allow their footpath networks to fall into disrepair [01 June 2004]
As damning new statistics show, nearly 6 in every 10 footpaths in Wales
have become difficult to use by walkers. The Welsh Assembly's own
figures have highlighted that many Local Authorities are neglecting their
footpaths with the end result that walkers can now expect to find problems
on well over half of all the footpaths in Wales...Read
more
Walkers called to arms over the decline in footpath conditions in England
[01 June 2004]
The Ramblers' Association's Footpaths Week comes at a time when dramatic
new figures from the Audi Commission reveal a 13% decease in the ease of
use of footpaths in England. While Central Government is trying to
get more people to undertake regular, moderate exercise like walking, many
Local Authorities seem content to allow their footpath networks to slip
into terminal decline...Read
more
Northumbria Ramblers launch summer-long walking for
health initiative [19 May 2004]
A new programme of short walks, Walk Well, will run throughout the summer
months in the North East to encourage and facilitate people who would like
to walk more for health and fitness and visit some beautiful countryside
at the same time...Read
more
The 10 most beautiful landscapes threatened by wind
farm development revealed by Country Life [17 May 2004]
In the race to meet commitments to reduce greenhouse gases and address the
issues of climate change the Government is considering hundreds of
proposals and applications to build wind turbines, a number of which are
earmarked for some of our most treasured countryside...Read
more
Walkers' champion the Duke of Devonshire has died at
his Derbyshire home, Chatsworth House, aged 84 [04 May 2004]
The Ramblers' Association has expressed it's deep sadness at the death of
the Duke of Devonshire. An ardent supporter of countryside access
the Duke famously made a public apology for the actions of his grandfather in
barring the public from areas of the Peak District...Read
more
Ramblers' Association statement regarding the public inquiry dealing with
access land on the Ashcombe House Estate (Wednesday 5 - Friday 7 May 2004)
[30 April 2004]
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act comes under the media gaze next week
as one of forty-eight public inquiries gets under way in Region 3, this
one has attracted attention because the estate's owner is Madonna...Read
more
History in the making as timetable for new access to open country in
England is announced [30 April 2004]
After over 100 years of campaigning for the freedom to walk on mountain,
moor, heath, down and common land, the Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs has announced the timetable for regional commencement to
areas of open country under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act...Read
More
Walkers driven off popular route in Yorkshire Dales
National Park by Off-roaders [26 April 2004]
Despite being in an area of outstanding natural beauty within a National
Park, which boasts the highest level of environmental protection in the
country, a right of way with vehicular rights is being destroyed by
recreational of-roading...Read
more
Ramblers celebrate Government decision to scrap
plans for 'superport' development at Dibden Bay [20 April 2004]
The integrity of the proposed boundary of the New Forest National Park is
secured after the Government reject plans to build a massive container
port at Dibden Bay on Southampton Water. The decision has been
greeted with joy by a coalition of campaigning groups, including the
Ramblers' Association...Read
more
Chris Smith, MP, becomes President of Ramblers'
Association [19 April 2004]
One of the country's most respected Members of Parliament, and former
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Chris Smith has been
elected President of the Ramblers' Association. A keen walker and
campaigner, Chris has been hailed as a natural choice for the
Presidency...Read more
Ramblers welcome Shropshire County Council's
investment of £1.5 million in their footpath network to stimulate tourism
[26 March 2004]
Tourism in Shropshire is given a massive boost by the council's decision
to invest £1.5 million over three years to bring their footpath network up
to scratch...Read
more
Ramblers' Association welcomes Minister's
announcement of off-roading ban on Ridgeway National Trail [22 March 2004]
Alun Michael, Minister for Rural Affairs, acts to protect the Ridgeway
National Trail from recreational off-road vehicles and introduces an
annual six month ban on 4x4s, trail and quad bikes...Read
more
Public
opinion shows overwhelming support for a ban on 4x4s and trailbikes on
rights of way [18 March 2004]
As a Government consultation on the use of rights of way for recreational
off-roading comes to an end, a new opinion poll shows that the public
overwhelmingly view off-roading as damaging to the countryside and want
recreational vehicles banned from rights of way...Read
more
Off-roading
damage forces Shropshire County Council close green lanes [04 March 2004]
Shropshire CC have become the latest local authority to introduce a vehicle ban on green lanes, or Byways Open to All Traffic, which were being destroyed by recreational off-road vehicles...Read
more
Ramblers'
Association urges Government action as obesity related illness costs rise
to £6 billion
[17 February 2004]
As the true health and financial costs of the obesity time
bomb become apparent, the Ramblers' Association is calling on the
government to make good on it's promise to publish a National Walking
Strategy to get the nation back on the road to health...Read
more
Will
Common Agricultural Policy reform ensure greater public good for public
money?
[13 February 2004]
One cornerstone of the measures announced today by Margaret Beckett is the idea of 'cross-compliance'. Payments will depend on meeting 'cross-compliance' conditions, something the Ramblers' Association argued for during the
post-Curry Commission consultation...Read
more
Say
goodbye to the Bobble hat [13 February 2004]
The upsurge in membership of Ramblers' groups catering for those in their
20s and 30s is changing the image of the Ramblers' Association...Read
more
Walkers
warned that their safety is at risk from illegal off-roading in National
Park [04 February 2004]
A recent incident where a volunteer ranger in the North York Moors National Park was deliberately driven at and intimidated by illegal off-road motorbikes has prompted an immediate response from National Park officials and North Yorkshire Police...Read
more
Northumberland
National Park cracks down on irresponsible off-road motorbikes [29 January
2004]
Northumberland National Park Authority are working with local police to
stamp out illegal and irresponsible recreational off-road motorbikes
causing damage in the Cheviots...Read
more
Ramblers
Association calls on walkers to support Government proposals on vehicles
in the countryside [29 January 2004]
New proposals in a Government consultation offer the opportunity to solve
many of the problems of recreational off-road vehicles causing severe
damage to the physical and natural environment in the countryside...Read
more
Showbiz spotlight falls on Freedom
to Roam [14 January 2004]
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, and Freedom to Roam, are back in the media spotlight with news that Madonna and husband, Guy Ritchie, are appealing against..
Read more
Wiltshire
County Council to ban off-roading on the Ridgeway National Trail [07
January 2004]
The Ramblers' Association is welcoming the news that Wiltshire
County Council is to place a permanent Traffic Regulation Order banning
recreational motor vehicles from the Ridgeway National Trail in
Wiltshire...Read more