Justin Cooke and representatives of the Forest Access Users’ Group meet the bishop
Outdoor enthusiasts’ groups today urged the Bishop of Liverpool to put access at the heart of the Government’s plans for England’s forests.
Nine organisations met Bishop James Jones, who chairs the Independent Panel on Forestry, to put the case for public access to the country’s woodlands.
The groups, including the Ramblers, British Mountaineering Council, the Open Spaces Society, the cycling organisations CTC and IMBA, British Orienteering and the Sport and Recreation Alliance, are part of the Forest Access Users’ Group.
The Kennel Club and British Horse Society are also represented on the group.
Justin Cooke, Ramblers senior policy officer, said: “We call on the panel to find ways to protect, maintain and increase access to all our nation’s woodlands and ensure that access is at the heart of its work.
“We look forward to engaging with them to ensure that public access to our forests is protected now and always.”
The group said it expects to meet the full panel to impress on its members the value of woodland and forest for public enjoyment.
Cath Flitcroft, the BMC’s access and conservation policy officer added: “Our woodlands and forests have long been a focus for open air recreation, including walking and rock climbing – there are many important climbing crags situated within the forested estate.
“It is essential that the breadth of recreational opportunities our forests and woodlands provide is fully understood as future policy is developed.”
Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, said: “Woods and forests uniquely provide and absorb a huge range of recreational pursuits in beautiful surroundings. It is vital that the panel puts public access and enjoyment at the forefront of its work.”
The joint statement by the nine organisations said: “Following the huge public outcry which resulted in the consultation on the future management of the public forest estate being ‘put on hold’, and the temporary suspension of Forestry Commission land sales, we believe that the panel now has the opportunity fully to realise the multi-purpose function of our woodland and forest estates.
“The public forest estate makes up only 18 per cent of England’s woodland and forests but accounts for 44 per cent of our accessible woodlands.
“With the public making over 40 million visits a year to the Forestry Commission estate, the commission is the single, largest provider of countryside recreation opportunities and provides some of the best examples of welcoming, well-managed public access in England, which any private landowner would be hard pressed to match.
“This cherished national asset therefore needs to be protected for public access in all forms, be it on foot, bike, horseback, horse-drawn carriage or with a dog, helping to strengthen the public’s understanding of the natural environment. Woods and forests must also continue to bring clear physical and mental benefits to the public by remaining fully accessible.”
The Forest Access Users’ Group was set up to put forward the views of outdoor enthusiasts after criticism of the make-up of the Independent Panel on Forestry established by the Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman, which included only the Ramblers’ chief executive Tom Franklin from outdoors groups.
