June 2017| 23
centres, something that has substantially added to the
kilometres of trails available, in the view of many, it still
isn’t enough.
Current work on access legislation
Cycling advocacy groups such as Open MTB and Cycling
UK are working hard to change access legislation
and calling for increased access to the
countryside on bikes. This, combined
with the Trails for Wales campaign 1
and increased press coverage, is
beginning to see results, certainly
from Assembly Ministers in Wales.
In February 2017, the Cabinet
Secretary for Environment and
Rural ffairs in ales released
a written statement entitled
“Improving Opportunities
to Access the Outdoors for
Recreation” 2 . This was in
response to a consultation in
2015 on improving opportunities
to access the outdoors for
responsible recreation. This was the
most responded-to Welsh Government
consultation on any topic (5800
responses), a clear indicator of the interest
and support for a review of access
to the countryside.
The Minister outlined that:
Wales needs a better and fairer approach to public
access for outdoor recreation which is less burdensome
to administer […] The law needs to reflect current
recreational needs and be more flexible to changes in
demand and participation. It is currently too difficult to
make changes to public access, either to increase it or
restrict it.
There is still a long way to go before a fit for ur ose
model for Wales receives a green light. While this is
great news for the campaigners, land managers may be
apprehensive about the future changes in legislation and
the impact on the management of the countryside, as
well as the sustainability of fragile habitats.
Responsible access
Organisations such as Ride North Wales and Snowdonia
Active are taking anticipatory steps to educate outdoor
user groups on the importance of protected sites, the
effect that more access might have on the future of the
landscape and understanding how and when rides can
cause the least impact and disturbance to wildlife and
sensitive sites. In Denbighshire, this responsible access
project stems from increased pre