England: Walking in the countryside of England, swimming, camping in the forest and enjoying other outdoor activities should now be a right – this is the voice raised by Labour Party MPs in Parliament. They say that access to nature is the right of every person, not just the privilege of a few. The MPs said in the report of the all-party parliamentary group that the general public’s access to the country’s rivers, lakes, forests and fields is very limited, and it is the need of the hour to expand it.
This campaign is led by Labour MPs Andy McNay, Phil Brickell and Polly Billington. They talked to more than 750 organisations and citizens across the country and found that there is not enough space and rights to enjoy nature in England. The report said that walking is legally allowed only in 8 per cent of the country, whereas there should be a right to walk and activities everywhere, like in Scotland. In recent years, thousands of people have taken part in mass campaigns and raised the demand for this right.
The report clearly states that access should be extended to lakes, rivers, woodlands and farms rather than being restricted to just mountains, coastal paths or public land. Activities such as wild camping, paddling, swimming, cycling and horse riding should also be included in this. Currently, the right to wild camping in England is only recognised in Dartmoor. Even there, attempts to restrict it by landowners continue.
McNay said, “We need new and ambitious legislation that makes the benefits of England’s beauty accessible to everyone. It is not just a matter of recreation, but is linked to mental and physical health. We also need to break down the barriers that prevent people, especially people with disabilities, from enjoying natural beauty.”
The Labour Party previously supported a sailing right like Scotland, but changed its stance due to lobbying from landowners and is now proposing to create new river routes. Only 3.4 per cent of the country’s rivers are available for unobstructed sailing. Riverbanks are often on private land, and people face threats or abuse when they try to go there.
“The government now has a historic opportunity to make sure the health benefits of spending time outdoors are accessible to everyone. Still, 92 per cent of England’s countryside is closed to the public. This needs to change,” Brickell said.
The report recommends new laws or changes to existing laws to make swimming and non-motorised watercraft easier for everyone on inland waters. It also recommends that every child should have at least one outdoor experience, linking nature with education.
Stephen Russell, from the Ramblers charity, said: “People continue to face barriers to getting outside. New legislation is the only lasting solution to this problem. Today, one in three adults lives more than 15 minutes from a green or blue space, affecting mental and physical health.”
The government says it is working to increase green areas. This includes nine new national river routes and three new forest areas. Yet experts believe this effort will be incomplete without adequate legal support.
This report is being seen as a big step towards making access to nature a democratic right in England. The time has come when every person, regardless of their economic status or physical ability, can go out and enjoy nature and live a healthy life.