Celebrating 60 years of National Parks

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Kate Ashbrook, former chairwoman of the Ramblers and president of the Dartmoor Preservation Association, discusses how the Ramblers marked the 60th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.

Tell us about the walks that took place on Dartmoor on Sunday? What was its purpose?

Kate Ashbrook: The walks were organised by the Ramblers, starting from a variety of points and converged at Bellever, where there was a rally by the East Dart River, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.

Could you outline the work of the Dartmoor Preservation Association?

Kate Ashbrook: The DPA was founded in 1883 and it campaigns to keep Dartmoor wild and free, it defends it from threats which conflict with national park purposes and undertakes practical projects like control of bracken. It owns three areas of land on Dartmoor where it promotes good management.

What is the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act? Why is it so important?

Kate Ashbrook: The Act was an important piece of post-war legislation which created national parks – protected areas with the twin purposes of protection of natural beauty and promotion of quiet enjoyment. Such places have never been more vital to us in today's chaotic world, where we can enjoy grand landscapes in peace and tranquillity, and find refreshment and inspiration. The Act also established national nature reserves and areas of outstanding natural beauty, long-distance paths and, crucially for Ramblers, the definitive maps of public rights of way (before this there was no record of public paths, and they were not shown on Ordnance Survey maps).

What role did the Ramblers play in the Act? How have the Ramblers helped to increase access to the countryside for recreational purposes?

Kate Ashbrook: The Ramblers lobbied for the Act, along with the Open Spaces Society, the Standing Committee for National Parks (now the Campaign for National Parks) and many others. The Ramblers have played a vital role in increasing access since then, by claiming paths for the definitive maps which were established by the 1949 Act, and then lobbying for freedom to roam on open country, which culminated in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 for England and Wales (there are different arrangements in Scotland). Ramblers also lobbied for coastal access, which is to be enshrined in the Marine and Coastal Access Act, currently going through parliament.

What changes have there been in access to the countryside over the 60 years since the Act was passed? Is access easier or more difficult?

Kate Ashbrook: It is significantly easier, we now have definitive maps of public rights of way, and these paths are shown on Ordnance Survey maps. In addition we have access land marked on OS maps. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 opened up many areas of forbidden land (eg in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire).

What are the next steps to be taken to increase access to the countryside over the next five to ten years?

Kate Ashbrook: We are working on the details of coastal access, which will be delivered in England by the Marine and Coastal Access Act, currently going through parliament. In addition we continue to claim paths for the definitive map. We shall be heavily involved in the decadal review of the access maps in England and Wales under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which starts soon and must be completed by 2015. We should like to see more access to woodland and riverbanks. The campaign continues.