Overview

This bill seeks to amend the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, expanding public access rights to include waterways, woodlands, grasslands, and the green belt in England and Wales. It also clarifies the right to camp on designated access land.

Description

The bill makes several key changes:

• Expanded Access: It redefines "open country" in the 2000 Act to include woodlands, the green belt, and riverbanks, significantly broadening public access areas. It explicitly grants access rights to navigable waterways and adjacent land needed for navigation or bathing. Natural England will be the access authority for waterways and adjacent lands.
• Right to Camp: The bill permits camping on designated access land, subject to existing codes of conduct. Previous restrictions on camping are removed.
• Definitions: The definition of "mountain, moor, heath, or down" is altered to remove the term "semi-improved," further expanding accessible land.
• Navigable Waterways: The definition of waterways explicitly includes rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, canals, and the land necessary for navigation or bathing.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify government spending. The implementation of the expanded access rights may necessitate increased costs for management and enforcement by Natural England and other relevant authorities, but no figures are provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Public: Gains significantly expanded access rights to the countryside, including waterways and previously restricted areas.
• Landowners: May experience increased use of their land, potentially requiring adjustments to management practices. The bill, however, aims to balance this increased access with codes of conduct.
• Natural England: Takes on increased responsibility for managing access to waterways and adjacent land.
• Statutory Navigation Authorities: Will be responsible for managing access to waterways under their control.

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