Countryside Access

[Guest waterman1013]

NATIONAL ANGLING ALLIANCE

 

Angling Trade Association National Association of Fisheries & Angling

Consultatives

National Federation of Anglers National Federation of Sea Anglers

Salmon & Trout Association Specialist Anglers Alliance

 

Press Release - 22nd January 2002

The Right to “Moan”

 

 

The National Angling Alliance (NAA) is encouraging anglers to make sure that

the Government has got it right over access to the countryside. The move

follows publication of the first draft maps of open countryside and

registered common land over which the public will be entitled to walk under

the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, passed last year.

 

The NAA Chairman, Tony Bird, explained,

 

“When this legislation was proposed, the Moran Committee lobbied

vigorously - and successfully - to ensure that access over and alongside

water was excluded from the legislation. The first draft maps - covering

the South East and Lower North West - should not include water areas. We

are following the Countryside Agency’s advice by asking anglers to check the

maps to ensure fisheries are excluded.”

 

Rural Affairs Minister, Alun Michael, said,

 

“The mapping process is an important milestone towards delivering the new

right of access. The consultation offers an opportunity for people to have

their say. I hope everyone with an interest in access to the countryside

will want to look at the new draft maps and let the Countryside Agency have

their views.”

 

The Countryside Agency is taking comments from people about whether open

country and registered common land has been correctly mapped in the South

East and Lower North West regions of England until February 11th 2002. An

easy to use comment form, which takes people through all the information we

need from them, will be available at all road shows, places where draft maps

are lodged (local council offices, some libraries, national park visitor

centres, Countryside Agency offices), on the web site and from the helpline.

 

Anyone wanting additional information about the consultation process should

call the mapping helpline on 0845 100 3298, or visit the Countryside Agency

website at www.countryside.gov.uk/access/mapping

<http://www.countryside.gov.uk/access/mapping>

 

- Ends -

 

Elton I put this here as I had to cut and paste it from an e-mail. Hope that is OK?

 

I'll put a note on fly fishing to refer to this page if that is OK.

 

Mike