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28 May 03Something To Walk and Talk About
People in Poole have had their say on the right to walk on areas of registered common land and open country in the Borough. The Countryside Agency has incorporated comments from Poole with those from Dorset and Bournemouth and produced provisional access maps.
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (‘CROW ACT’) will create new rights to walk on areas of registered common land and open country - mountain, moor, heath and downland.
Access areas must be identified on maps and then made available for anyone with a legal interest in the land to appeal against the comments. Draft access maps were issued in September 2002 and the Countryside Agency sought comments. These maps now show any changes made by comparing comments from local residents, user groups and others, collected during September to December 2002.
Beverley Bowyer-Davis, Rights of Way Officer, Borough of Poole, said: "We will be working closely with the Countryside Agency to ensure that people are aware of any new responsibilities with the new rights of way, which we hope to be in effect from 2004. Everyone who commented on the draft maps helped towards improving access to the countryside and to shape the areas in Poole where they can walk and enjoy."
The provisional maps are now on display in the foyer of the Civic Centre, Poole and at the Dolphin Centre Library until 23 August 2003. At this stage only those with a legal interest in the land can comment on the maps, this includes landowners, tenants, holders of licences or agreements such as grazing rights or a private right of way, sporting rights and rights of common. Appeals must be made in writing and forms and fact sheets are provided at the display and on the Countryside Agency website -
www.countryside.gov.uk/access/mapping or contact the helpline on 0845 100 3298.The Dorset Local Access Forum ‘LAF’ will inspect the maps on 14 July 2003. LAF is a statutory body, appointed by Poole, Dorset and Bournemouth, to guide and advise on Access Land mapping and Rights of Way Improvement Plans. More information about the LAF visit
www.dorset-cc.gov.uk/laf.Maps for the whole of the Dorset area are on display at the main libraries in Weymouth, Bournemouth and Dorchester.
Beverley Bowyer-Davis, Rights of Way Officer, Borough of Poole, tel: (01202) 262060
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