Picture this: You’re out for a peaceful walk in the idyllic English countryside, breathing in the fresh air and marveling at the patchwork of green fields stretching out before you. But suddenly, your path ends abruptly at a “Private Property” sign, forcing you onto a narrow, busy road with no sidewalk. It’s a jarring and potentially dangerous transition that rural residents and ramblers know all too well.
Now, a growing movement is seeking to change that by expanding the “right to roam” in England and Wales. Campaigners argue that opening up access along the edges of privately owned farmland could create safer, more enjoyable walking routes for millions of people.
The Case for Increased Countryside Access
According to advocacy group Slow Ways, the lack of off-road paths in rural areas forces people to walk on dangerous roads without pavements. Department for Transport statistics paint a grim picture: Each week, two pedestrians die and 34 are seriously injured on these country lanes.
Going for a walk in the countryside can mean risking narrow lanes, blind bends and fast vehicles. The government can save thousands of lives and bring millions of people so much joy by ensuring there is always a safe way to walk.
Dan Raven-Ellison, Slow Ways Founder
Slow Ways envisions an extensive national walking network that would allow people to stroll along field edges, opening up beautiful vistas and creating car-free connections between villages and towns. And the British public appears to be on board: A YouGov poll found 71% of adults support having the right to respectfully walk along private field boundaries if no other path exists.
Expanding & Safeguarding Historical Paths
England and Wales also have a network of ancient footpaths crisscrossing the landscape, many dating back centuries. Over 40,000 miles of these historical rights-of-way remain unrecorded and vulnerable.
In a win for access advocates, the Labour government recently announced that it will remove a 2031 deadline for registering these paths which was set under the previous Conservative leadership. This protects the routes from being lost forever, preserving them for generations to come.
A Contentious Debate
Not everyone is keen to see walkers traipsing along the margins of their land, however. Many farmers and rural landowners fear that increased access could lead to damage, litter, and disruption to agricultural operations. Striking a balance between public benefit and private property rights is a delicate dance.
Still, with only 8% of English countryside designated as fully open access land, there’s a strong case that more can be done to responsibly open up rural Britain’s beauty and health benefits to all. Organizations like the Ramblers Association have long campaigned for a “right to roam” more in line with Scotland’s progressive access laws.
The Path Forward
As the access debate rages on, one thing is clear: Demand for safe, car-free walking routes in the countryside is only growing. With staycations booming and many seeking to swap pandemic confinement for wide open spaces, now could be the moment for a walking revolution.
Ultimately, campaigners hope to work with the government and landowners to thoughtfully expand access in a way that benefits rural communities, improves public health and well-being, and showcases the splendor of the English and Welsh landscapes. The right to roam may yet become a reality from coast to coast.
