Labour Conference: Landowners may face access laws
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MINISTERS CAME under pressure to introduce "right to roam" laws yesterday as a report revealed that landowners had failed to give greater access to the countryside.
The Environment minister Michael Meacher made clear to delegates that landowners needed to increase access to privately owned mountains, moors, heaths, downs and commons to three to four million acres.
He denied that the Government's plans to solve the dispute by voluntary agreement with landowners was a climbdown, indicating that legislation could still be introduced.
"No one is suggesting new rights to walk over ploughed fields or through gardens," he said. "But we do not accept that the legitimate rights of property owners mean that walkers have to be kept off uncultivated mountain, moorland, heath or down for any good reason."
A survey by the Ramblers' Association, seen by The Independent, found that the landowners' "access register", compiled to prove landowners' commitment to extending access to their land, lists only paths already open to the public.
Gordon Prentice, MP for Pendle, said the right to walk in open country was a fundamental principle of the radical tradition in the Labour Party.
"Either we have the right to roam by the next election or we don't," he told the conference. "It is as simple as that. Even New Labour has to choose sometimes and we have to choose on this issue." He condemned the landowners' access register as a "con trick".
Twenty-five Labour MPs will stage a walk today in support of a statutory right to roam.
Mr Meacher said fines for causing pollution would rise.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments