Footpaths and access must be priorities, say the Ramblers

Britain’s biggest walking charity is urging walkers to step up the pressure on the Government to recognise the benefit of taking to the great outdoors.

The Ramblers say the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is overlooking the access needs of walkers in the English countryside.

A white paper from Defra on the natural environment does not include access issues and the Ramblers are urging all walkers and outdoor enthusiasts to make their voices heard in a consultation that is running at the moment.

Adrian Morris, Ramblers head of walking environment, said: “This is a great opportunity for walkers everywhere to have their say on the future of England’s natural environment. Currently the paper fails to take into consideration the importance of people’s ability to access the countryside.

“We’re urging walkers to air their views on how access and recreation can be better integrated into the other themes of the paper, and highlight that footpaths and access must be priorities in the Government’s natural environment policies.”

The full Defra consultation document, which contains details of how to submit a response, is on the Defra website.