BMC Launches Access Charter

16th February 2011

Yesterday The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) launched a countryside Access Charter, calling on government to secure and enhance public access to England’s countryside. Dr Catherine Flitcroft said: "Public recreation and access need to be at the heart of all decision making concerning our countryside. These are fundamental to people’s enjoyment and understanding of our outdoors, helping to feed the desire to cherish the natural environment," The BMC is working in partnership with landowners and conservation bodies to ensure successful access management, where all parties recognise and respect the legitimate interests of others and where recreation and conservation benefit mutually. The BMC is calling on government to ensure no loss of public access or the conservation value of public land through sale or transfer,to dedicate public land to create permanent access right and to recognise the importance and value of outdoor recreation in any new landscape designations.
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