Farmers' fears put to rest over right to roam (From Western Telegraph)

Farmers' fears put to rest over right to roam

Only four per cent of the Pembrokeshire landscape will be opened up to the public under so called 'right to roam' laws which come into force next week.

Farmers and landowners had feared that new rights of access would interfere with farming practices.

But these concerns seem to have been appeased because only unenclosed and uncultivated land, aside from a small strip of improved farmland near Crymych, has been opened up. In total 6,663 hectares of Pembrokeshire has been designated as access land, 4% of the county's land cover.

Kilgetty Common appears to be the only area of land designated in the south of the county. Most of the new access land is in north Pembrokeshire, incorporating land around the Preseli Hills, the heathland at St Davids peninsula, Carningli and Dinas.

Anthony Richards, access officer for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said the legislation provided certainty for both farmers and walkers and clarified the responsibilities of visitors.

He believes it will only lead to a modest increase in use of this land, mainly as a result of it being included on the Ordnance Survey maps.

Ten sites not previously accessible will be opened up to walkers when the new act comes into force on May 28th.

Ironically, it could even lead to some existing sites being restricted because farmers will be given powers to apply for restriction orders.

It will be ten years before the maps are revised but the area is only likely to be extended to include land which goes out of agricultural use in the meantime.

Walkers will only have the same rights as trespassers on access land, which rules out fears of legal claims against farmers.

Although landowners will still be liable for the safety of people on their land under existing legislation, there will be no extra duty of care regarding natural features such as ditches, rivers and ponds.