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Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Sir Peter Emery: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding will be made available to Devon County Council to finance the proposed right to roam network in respect of (a) the compilation of maps indicating land open to ramblers, (b) the cost of hiring extra wardens and (c) contingency funds for potential legal action involving landowners. [142692] Mr. Meacher: The duty to draw up maps showing open country and registered common land in England falls entirely on the Countryside Agency. Local authorities will have an opportunity to comment on draft maps if they wish to do so, but this is not expected to involve significant cost. The need to appoint additional wardens, where appropriate, to help with management of the new right of access will arise when the new right comes into effect in a few years' time. A recent study for the Local Government Association suggested that the cost of managing the new right, including wardening, will be around £1.5 million per year for England and Wales. We intend to make provision for funding of wardening services through the normal revenue support system for local authorities. Taking into account the specific functions of local authorities under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, and the extensive provision for appeals by landowners to the Secretary of State, we do not consider that there is likely to be any need to make provision for costs arising from potential legal action.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

360 c169-70W; 142692

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Criminal proceedings Costs Common land Finance Maps Monitoring Staff Rights of way Devon County Council

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk