Fifty years ago, cyclists in England and Wales were granted access to just over 20 per cent of all rights of way by the Countryside Act 1968. To mark the occasion, Cycling UK is asking the Welsh government to improve on this percentage by following through on its own proposals to increase access.
Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s head of campaigns said: “Improving public access, particularly in the creation or restoration of connected routes is a public good. Farmers, visitors and local communities in Wales will all benefit – but let’s not wait another fifty years for this to happen.”
Last year Cycling UK and OpenMTB backed Welsh Government proposals to open up most footpaths in Wales to cycling and horse riding, calling on the public to show their support via the Trails for Wales campaign.
However, in June the Welsh Government changed tack, saying it was, “not the right time for substantive reform.” It cited “strong but differing views,” by way of explanation.
The move came despite huge public support for the proposals, with 16,468 out of a total of 17,391 responses to a September 2017 consultation supporting change to access laws.
“There’s a huge sway of public support for change to rights of way in Wales, and it’s a missed opportunity if they continue to sit on the fence on this important issue,” said Dollimore.
The UK’s rights of way network frequently changes between footpaths and bridleways, with often no noticeable change in quality between the two apart from a different signpost.
This has created confusion among the nation’s cyclists with Cycling UK’s Rides of Way report revealing that 74 per cent of people cycling on the network find it “unsuitable”.
Cycling UK has written to Minister for the Environment, Hannah Blythyn AM, seeking an explanation for the government’s position, and also seeking a meeting to discuss next steps and how to improve countryside access pending future changes to the law.
Dollimore said: “As Wales and the rest of the UK celebrates the fantastic achievements of Geraint Thomas in the Tour de France, now’s the opportunity for the Welsh Government to build on his legacy and do more for the everyday cyclist.
“The Government sought the public’s opinion for their own proposals on how they could improve conditions for cycling off-road. A minority disagreed with an overwhelming majority, and now progress on public rights of way has been kicked into the long grass.”
In the UK, only the Scottish Government has passed laws to improve access, via the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.
This law allows people the right to access and cross land for recreational and educational purposes, unless expressly forbidden to do so. Local tourism has boomed, with cycle tourism estimated to generate between £236 and £358 million for the Scottish economy each year.
36 thoughts on “Cycling UK calls on Welsh Government to increase access to rights of way network”
I’ll say it again, sort
I’ll say it again, sort england out before telling the mighty Wales what to do! Too many visitors destroying the place already.
#buildawall or a dyke.
And yes, Geraint is Welsh, isn’t he.
don simon wrote:
Wales needs tourism money more than most but this is about access for everyone – locals as well as visitors. CUK represents cyclists in Wales too, these are Welsh government proposals, and they claim there is “huge public support” for change to the RoW rules.
No-one should have to declare their nationality in order to participate a discussion. It’s disappointing to find this small-minded perspective continues and the idea that if someone is not “one of us” (whatever constitutes “us”) they can’t have an opinion. Geraint is as Welsh as you but I’d bet real money that he doesn’t share your attitude to the English. Alfie doesn’t. Most Welsh people don’t and it saddens me that this inward-looking idea still persists.
If Brexit goes ahead without a decent deal there is a real possibility that many upland farms could go bankrupt. That could trigger a land grab by big money (English / Saudi / Emirates / Chinese money?) and the inevitable loss of access to large tracts of the countryside. It would also adversely affect many rural economies, which are already struggling.
And I don’t think it’s a case of needing to change the rules one country before the other – I reckon being able to say “Scotland has done it. Wales has done it. It’s your turn England” could be a great lever for change on the other side of the dyke.
Ha ha, dream on! It’s major landowners and the “Gerroff moi land” mindset that are the main obstacle to any access and any change in the law. FC, utilities and so on are effectively privatised already, our national assets have been sold into private ownership/control at knockdown prices since the 1980s.
I’ll say it again, sort
[quote=don simon]
I’ll say it again, sort england out before telling the mighty Wales what to do! Too many visitors destroying the place already.
Totally agree. As a cyclist, MB’er, walker, dog walker, and driver, the lack of respect for other road, track and single track users shown by many cyclist who think they have divine rights is a indictement on the cycling community. It is time cyclists understood that they share with others who have every right to use these resources, and that they are not the sole domain of cyclist.
Until this happens access should remain unchanged.
Thanks Cycling UK for working
Thanks Cycling UK for working so hard for ordinary cyclists, not just the sporting kind. Access to more off road routes is going to increase the number of cyclists who feel safe, and might then be persuaded to try utility cycling, and it will create pressure for more useful segregated routes. Wales has an Active Travel Act, and there is massive public support, but yet again, the landowners dominate over public interest.
There are far too many
There are far too many cyclists out there who show little or no consideration for other path users on the bridle and cycle network as it is without allowing access to the numerous much narrower footpath network. Add to this the inevitable vandalism, last year my local council had to spend over £4000 replacing gates, stiles and steps ripped out by mountain bikers. Most footpaths could only be used by little old ladies travelling at 5 mph, it would be utterly irresponsible to allow cyclists onto footpaths
spen wrote:
That sounds like there’s a big demand for cycle-only paths and trails.
I’m surprised that there aren’t more people trying to cash in on cycle tourism with either purpose built mountain cycle tracks or the more leisurely family/touring style paths (which can also be shared with walkers). Once we get that wall built between us and the EU, we should try to cash in on people having active holidays in the UK.
spen wrote:
barriers removed on footpaths or bridleways? Proof that it was mountain bikers and not motorbikers? Seems relatively easy to get a mountain bike through, much harder with a motorized bike.
wycombewheeler wrote:
Or horse riders? They seem to be the ones who have no respect for bridal paths, turning them in to muddy quagmires over winter leaving time as impassable dusty messes in summer. Ignoring the fact that you are not supposed to use them at times it will cause damage.
spen wrote:
It’s a common misconception that footpaths are narrow and bridleways are wide, but the criteria by which these RoWs were established had nothing whatsoever to do with width or what kind of trail exists on the ground. Many bridleways are narrow or barely traceable; many footpaths are wide and clear.
Widening access for bikes would ease pressure on unsuitable routes and allow cyclists to make better choices. There’s every reason to think it will make things better for walkers, not worse.
Incidentally, though I ride in the Lakes far more than Wales, the overwhelming majority of walkers I meet are friendly and encouraging. I have had far more experiences of walkers holding gates open for us (even breaking into a run to do so!) than of any kind of conflict.
In many years mountain biking I recall only three experiences of walkers taking me to task for riding where I shouldn’t. One was in Scotland (someone obviously hadn’t studied the Scottish Access Code) and two in England. In both cases the person was insistent that I was riding on a footpath. In both cases I was on a bridleway.
spen wrote:
Really Spen? There’s a Public Footpath by my house that’s 5 metres wide and tarmaced for its entire length, would it still be irresponsible to allow cyclists onto that path? I’m just a bit confused because on a day to day basis the postman drives along it, the milk lorry, the tractors, the hay wagon and the livestock trucks, and, perhaps remarkably, nobody died in the process… I’m confused as to how introducing bicycles might suddenly lead to disaster
should also be asking major
should also be asking major landowners to just simply allow access by cyclists….the intention of defining rights of way was to give a minimum legal right to cross land…somehow this has become the only right to cross land … a landowner can allow the public to do whatever – so what about it NT, Forestry Commission, MOD, Water Utilities, Duke of whatever? simple enough just say yes open access and just fix stuff like signposting SSI’s and other sensitive areas
antigee wrote:
Do I have the same levels of access in england as you are asking for in Wales? You may be welsh, bit it’s incredibly rich for the english to demand that access is improved in Wales when it is still limited in englend. Why doesn’t england extend right to roam to include cycling, horse riding. greenlaning etc before sticking its nose in other nations’ business.
This shouldn’t even be a discussion. In fact, it would be useful if you put up your nationality before posting on this thread.
I’m a Gogg.
don simon wrote:
I’m English and it seems fair enough to want right-of-way to be the same in England and Wales.
I had interpreted the article as the Welsh govt had already made noises that they were going to improve access, but then mysteriously (public opposition) aborted that. The UK govt however haven’t made any noises about increasing access (or at least that I’ve heard about) and so it seems pointless to ask them about it (or ask them to do anything that isn’t Brexit or career related).
I didn’t really get the England vs Wales part of it, I thought it was more Cycling UK vs Wales.
By the way, I’d never heard the expression “Gogg” (or is it “Gog”) before – had to google it.
hawkinspeter wrote:
The eng land vs Wales thing is due to Wales being told to improve access while england can sit happily without having its beauty spots destroyed, irrespective of the CUK title representing UK, if it were a UK wide initiative, there wouldn’t be a problem. There is a history of england using Wales as its playground, and do you know what? The locals don’t like it.
don simon wrote:
Fair enough – I obviously don’t see it from a Welsh perspective.
Personally, I’d be more than happy to have England open up right of way, but then my terraced house in Bristol is not going to be affected, so I have nothing to lose. Are there specific aspects of tourism/right-of-way that you and/or Welsh people object to? I get the usual tourist complaints of littering and not respecting the country code, but am wondering if there are other aspects.
don simon wrote:
I noted your comments about “incomers” campaigning to stop Welsh being taught in schools.
Does that mean the ‘proper’ Welsh are only the ones who siarad Cymraeg, then? Must be a bit offputting for the Welsh who aren’t Welsh speakers and don’t want to learn Welsh, and yet have lived in Wales all their lives, as have their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc…
How many generations makes you not an incomer? (full disclosure: in my village in Somerset in that there England, I gather its about fifty years or four generations, whichever is the longer).
brooksby wrote:
Offputting? Understatement of the century! I don’t think I can quite put it into words.
I’ve known many English incomers and also too many Welsh nationalists with their blind anti-English rhetoric (which I find all too similar to that of the EDL, BNP and so on). The former fuels the latter but the nationalists choose to ignore the many incomers who become part of local life; they ignore those who, encouraged by the Development Board grants and cheap rents & rates, brought employment to many regions. No, they focus on the ones who want Wales to be like it’s just another English county because it suits their twisted agenda.
It is understandable on one level. There is 1,000 years of forcefully trying to supress our language & culture. It’s baggage which weighs heavily, even for those of us who don’t speak Welsh fluently but are proud of our nationality.
The really depressing part of it is that the nationalists, supposedly defending their culture, do more harm than good. They won’t acknowledge it but it’s absolutely true. On a positive note, there has been a change – in some areas at least – as more Welsh speakers realise that, when they promote, share and open up their language and culture to non-Welsh speakers (regardless of their origin), then many more people value and respect the unique culture and history of the people of Wales and have a better understanding of what it means.
British National,born in that
British National,born in that there England, currently live in Aus’ , have lived in Wales with all its baggage for the English but I’ve never ever lived under a bridge
Same point I made applies in England
Don’t see what living under a
Don’t see what living under a bridge has to do with anything, unless you’re trying to call me a troll. Why is asking england to set an example by getting their right to roam legislation in order before asking the Welsh to do it trolling? I’ll give you a clue, it’s not. The troll is demanding that Wales do this in the first place.
Before we know it england will be telling people to move house so they can flood the land and have a new water supply.
Quote:
it would be useful if you put up your nationality before posting on this thread.
No-one should have to declare their nationality in order to participate a discussion. It’s disappointing to find this small-minded perspective continues and the idea that if someone is not “one of us” (whatever constitutes “us”) they can’t have an opinion. Geraint is as Welsh as you but I’d bet real money that he doesn’t share your attitude to the English. Alfie doesn’t. Most Welsh people don’t and it saddens me that this inward-looking idea still persists.
You are reading far too much into the statement I made and totally misrepresenting it with a load of bollocks.
We’ll start with learning the difference between “would be useful” and “should”. Do you really want me to teach you some of the english language? And there is nothing small minded about Welsh being concerned about Welsh issues that are fuck all to do with the english. Like I said, sort your own access law out first.. As a gogg I am concerned that I am restricted on where I can ride in the Peak District. It’s appalling and you really should be maximising the tourist pound.
Why don’t the land owners in england allow me to ride, or 4×4, where I want? Sort it out now!
don simon wrote:
Maybe I misunderstood (or perhaps I didn’t) but clarification / correction is infinitely more useful than merely resorting to insults. There’s zero point in trying to discuss anything if that’s all you have to offer. 🙁
Simon E wrote:
You do have problems reading, don’t you?
This will be the bollocks that I referred to, patronising bollocks to boot, but keep at it.
Has england sorted out its own access laws alrerady? Once it has, feel free to show the Welsh how successful it is and offer it as a suggestion. Until then take your demands and patronising and shove them where the sun don’t shine. No, there isn’t any point discussing anything with someone so arrogant they think they can tell the Welsh how to manage their country. Your input to the discussion won’t be missed.
Just a quick one, should I continue watching the footy or turn over for the end of the roiad race? I’ll keep you informed of any other decisions I make that aren’t your business.
don simon wrote:
correct me if I’m wrong but the process went something like this…
welsh government proposes increasing access
they hold an opinion poll, something like 85% of the public consultation back the proposal
a small but very vocal minority object
the welsh government drop the proposal
cycling uk point out the proposal was backed and approach the welsh government
so what part of of this is the english telling the welsh what to do?
your atitude seems to be that only the welsh should be allowed to cycle in wales as far as I can tell. despite the fact that wales is subsidied by the rest of the UK, and currentlty the resty of the EU as well.
wycombewheeler wrote:
What percentage of those are english incomers?
Much like those schools where incomers ask for Welsh to be dropped from the curriculum.
Sorry mate.
don simon wrote:
Your anger and arguments are just making you look like an angry Welsh nationalist , and it is making you look rather silly with a chip on your shoulder.
John Smith wrote:
I think you need to understand nationalism and my point of view, as soon as england demonstrates the improvements by opening up its own national parks to a proper right to roam legislation, then, and only then, can it ask Wales to follow suit. The arrogance that is being demonstrated here is just reinforcing the stereotypical english image that the rest of the world has.
It’s simple, you wouldn’t demand that any other nation, France, Germany, USA, etc, implement a legislation (unless it went against global norms), so why demand something of Wales then embarrass yourselves by trying to defend it.
I’m all for opening up the rights of access, just not at the behest of england, and not as long as england refuses to lead by example. If you think that’s nationalism and want to use the good old chip on the shoulder put down, I suggest you learn what nationalism is. I also wouldn’t be buying a holiday home in Wales in the foreseeable future either, if I were you.
I’ve said it twice in the same post as you clearly refuse to understand what I am saying and prefer a casual put down. As for the wanker and the sheep joke, 1970 called and wants its casual racism back.
And finally, yes, Mungecrundle, it should be Wales’ decision as to whether the land is opened up to all in order to maximise the tourist £, and not england’s. I assume that’s what you were getting at.
I do have some suggestions for improvements to england, but I’m not that arrogant.
don simon wrote:
You are too modest in your opinion of yourself. You could start by spelling England with a capital ‘E’ and work up from there.
Mungecrundle wrote:
He was deliberately doing that to wind you up and it looks like it worked.
don simon wrote:
No, I fully understand it and I understand your point of view. You took it as some sort of personal insult. It’s tainted by your huge chip on your sholder. No one was demanding anyone to do anything on a local level. People want access nation wide, but you took it as some sort of insult. I fully understand the folly and ignorance of Welsh nationalim thank you, what with my mother being born and bred in Caerphilly in a long line of farmers and shop keepers. The one that gets angry at tourism yet ignores the 10% of national income that relys on this. The belife that people who have not lived somewhere for many generations should not be treated with respect. All so stupid.
my point is that there is no need for change in law – land owners can grant access irrespective and I’m pretty fed up with the likes of NT only granting the legal minimum access required by law
Bit baffled by the anti
Bit baffled by the anti-English sentiment here. Sure, plenty of English people backed this proposal but then I would have thought plenty of Welsh people might support similar reforms in England and I’d thank them for supporting it. (Unfortunately the government is far too backward for that to happen in England.)
There are three reasons I supported it:
1) Any access improvements in the UK are progress and will help move things forward everywhere eventually
2) I’m sure Welsh cyclists would benefit
3) I do occasionally cycle in Wales and this would increase the chances of me doing so again, which I would have thought is good for Wales (tourist £) and for me.
As for Welsh people having a problem with English people doing recreation in Wales… well that just seems to be an attitude that could materially harm Wales’ economy and prosperity. Are there hoards of Welsh people protesting outside http://www.visitwales.com HQ to tell them to stop encouraging the English?
This seems even more bizarre to me than people who hate Germans because of WWII etc.
Looks like someone’s been
Looks like someone’s been huffing the sheep dip a little too enthusiastically….
Sorry to be a pedant, but it
Sorry to be a pedant, but it is respectful of other nations to capitalise the name. England, Wales, you get the idea.
Given that large parts of Wales are going to be losing significant sources of EU funding with no guarantee of long term financial subsidy from the English taxpayer, you would have thought that tourism would be high on the agenda. Land access rights for recreational use of all sorts are crucial to that offer.
Time for a Bill Hicks quote
Time for a Bill Hicks quote on nationalism:
I, I dunno, I didn’t have a lot to do with it! My parents fucked there, that’s about all…. I was in the spirit realm at that time, trying to tell them “Fuck in Paris! Fuck in Paris!” but they couldn’t hear me, ‘cause I didn’t have a mouth! I was a spirit without lungs or a mouth, or vocal cords. They fucked here.
Ok, I’m proud…
I hate patriotism, I can’t stand it, man, it makes me fucking sick. It’s a round world, last time I checked, okay? Y’know what I mean? I hate patriotism.
Personally, I’m fine with other countries suggesting improvements to England as we clearly need their input. I’ve even heard rumours that Cardiff will get their second stadium before Bristol gets their first! Free prescriptions – count me in (I don’t personally benefit from that though).
On the flip side, I agree with Don about not swamping Wales with the will of the English and I disagree with people campaigning against Welsh as a first language in schools. To my mind, different cultures enrich us and the Welsh language should definitely be encouraged as much as possible.
This discussion brings to
This discussion brings to mind this article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/36580448/welsh-woman-on-bus-shuts-down-racist-who-told-muslim-passenger-to-speak-english
Wales is a beautiful country
Wales is a beautiful country Don, pity they filled it with the Welsh…