Ramblers publish list of obstructive landowners
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.RAMBLERS are publishing a 'list of shame' to expose landowners who try to ban walkers from country footpaths.
The list marks the latest attempt by the Ramblers' Association for access to thousands of miles of public footpaths overgrown with weeds, blocked by barbed wire or ploughed.
The campaigners also plan another Forbidden Britain day - 27 September - when they will walk footpaths owned by unwelcoming or hostile landowners.
Ten million people go rambling at least once a month, which makes a country walk second only to television-watching as a favourite leisure pursuit.
But while the 89,000-strong Ramblers' Association says attitudes by once unfriendly farmers are changing, there are still many areas where walking can be like hacking a way through a jungle.
There are 140,000 miles of rural footpaths in England and Wales and the association's director, Alan Mattingly, said 22,000 miles are 'seriously obstructed' and a similar number 'very difficult'.
He said: 'Attitudes by landowners are changing but unfortunately many individuals are still bloody-minded.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments