New Countryside Code released

Monday, 12 July 2004 12:00 AM

The Countryside Agency has released an updated version of the 1950s country code to "help prepare everyone for the gradual introduction of the public's new right of access in the countryside."

The new code will be promoted through a group of animated characters, dubbed "Creature Comforts", and there will be TV and cinema broadcasts featuring the new characters in coastal, farmland and moorland scenes.

The chair of the Countryside Agency, Pam Warhurst, said: "We want to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy our countryside whilst giving them confidence in their new rights and responsibilities and respect for those who depend on it through the key themes - respect, protect, enjoy."

Under the 2000 Countryside and Rights of Way Act, the Countryside Agency began mapping areas of open countryside and registered common land in England with the aim to make more land publicly accessible.

From September this year the public will gain new rights of access in the South East and North West, with the rest of the country to follow in 2005.

Key messages for the public under the new code are to "leave gates and property as you find them", "protect plants and animals, take your litter home" and "keep dogs under close control."

The code also calls for visitors to be considerate to others in the countryside in obeying specific sign restrictions, not blocking access points and buying supplies from local shops to support the rural economy.

For the first time the code also contains a section aimed at land managers, which urges farmers to make it easy for people to act responsibly by making sure footpaths are usable and there is clear information for visitors.

The deputy president of the National Farmers Union, Peter Kendall, said he fully endorsed the new code.

Mr Kendall said: "We wholly support the code's key messages and welcome visitors to the countryside to see for themselves what a fantastic job farmers are doing.

"All we ask in return is responsible access, where visitors keep their dogs under control, take their litter home with them and remember that as well as being a beautiful place to visit the countryside is also a workplace and haven for wildlife."

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