The Welsh Government is reviewing access to the countryside

The Welsh Government is reviewing access to the countryside

A mountaineering body is urging outdoors enthusiasts to join it in trying to persuade the Welsh Government to improve access to the countryside.

The British Mountaineering Council launched its Open Wales campaign as the Cardiff administration reviews laws relating to public access to land.

The BMC, which represents climbers, mountaineers and hillwalkers in Wales, said the Labour government wants to see better opportunities for walkers, climbers, canoeists, wild swimmers and anglers to explore the Welsh countryside.

It is looking to review the laws governing where people can go and what they can do, making them easier to understand and less bureaucratic, the BMC added.

A council spokesperson said: “The BMC fully supports the aim of improving access and we are asking the outdoor-going public at large to join us in pledging their support under the banner of our new Open Wales campaign.

“Access laws which are simple and easy to understand will increase opportunities for walkers, climbers and the public alike.”

The BMC wants outdoors fans to back its campaign

The BMC wants outdoors fans to back its campaign

Elfyn Jones, BMC access officer for Wales, said: “The review brings a rare and vital opportunity to drastically improve access for the people of Wales and its many visitors.

“Responsible recreation and conservation have been proven to go hand in hand. That’s why we’re calling on everyone who values access to our countryside, mountains, rivers and coastline to support our Open Wales campaign to see access laws extended and simplified.”

The government review is looking at increasing responsible access to the outdoors, both in urban and rural areas; improving the public path network, and increasing the amount of land available for allotments and community gardening.

The BMC dismissed claims by what it called an alliance of landowning and angling bodies which responded negatively and in force to the proposals, expressing fears that ‘untrammelled’ and ‘unfettered’ access could lead to ‘a serious impact on ecology and stock with disturbance and damage to crops, hedges and waterways’.

The spokesperson said: “The BMC believes these fears are unfounded and is concerned that the negative response could divert or derail the Welsh Government away from what was originally a positive and hopeful proposal.

“We want our members and the many people who enjoy the Welsh countryside to demonstrate the considerable support that exists for the plans.

“The BMC has 5,000 members in Wales but these proposals will affect our entire membership of 76,000.

“Millions enjoy the beauty and unique qualities that the Welsh coastline and countryside offer.”

The mountaineering organisation said the estimated cost of physical inactivity to Wales is about £650m a year.

Only 37 per cent of men and 24 per cent of women in Wales are reported to meet their recommended levels of physical activity.

It said 60 per cent of the adult population of Wales would like to visit the outdoors more often.

More details of the Open Wales campaign are on the BMC website.

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