Rural groups have joined forces to call for an amendment to the
Highways Act 1980 which would improve safety on the public rights
way of network following a spike in livestock-related deaths.
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), National Farmers
Union (NFU), Countryside Alliance (CA) and Tenant Farmers
Association (TFA) have written to Rural Affairs Minister, Lord
Gardiner, outlining how the amendment would enable farmers to
temporarily divert public rights of way where livestock are
present.
This diversion would help reduce the risk of further serious
incidents happening to visitors in the countryside and allow
farmers to operate their businesses safely and effectively.
The proposal provides a temporary diversion for a limited period
of time, following a short notice period with clear notices
placed at either end of the route.
Deputy President of the CLA Mark Tufnell said:
“We believe that our proposal will help save lives. There have
been a number of tragic incidents recently of walkers being
killed by livestock while visiting the countryside. Our priority
is people’s safety, and by amending the Highways Act landowners
will be empowered to take the necessary steps to protect the
public.”
NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts said:
“Sadly, we have learnt of several incidents recently in which
members of the public have lost their lives. The countryside is a
busy working environment, so we need to ensure that the millions
of people who visit every year can continue to do so safely and
responsibly. This proposed change in the law would allow farmers
to quickly, easily and temporarily divert public rights of way
where livestock are present to further reduce the risks.”
Head of Politics at Countryside Alliance James Legge
said:
“The law must recognise that the countryside is a place of work
as well as recreation. The current Highways Act fails to balance
the needs of farmers and land managers to raise livestock while
also being able to take necessary steps to protect public safety.
The proposed change in the law would enable farmers and land
managers to raise livestock and protect public safety, without
reducing the ability of the public to enjoy the countryside. The
Government needs to recognise the problem and act to ensure the
law is fair and workable, and most importantly helps prevent any
further tragic loss of life.”
TFA National Vice-Chairman Robert Martin said:
“The devastating loss of life that we have experienced recently
in the countryside could be prevented easily by taking the simple
and reasonable approach we have outlined. We want walkers to be
able to enjoy the countryside safely alongside farmers going
about their day-to-day business.”
This idea was sparked by a pilot scheme in Cornwall, which used
permissive paths (a route landowners allow the public to use) to
offer an alternative route when livestock are being grazed on the
land. The temporary diversion would solve the current problems
without these drawbacks, which includes existing rights of way
remaining permanently open.
Although it’s an option that remains a useful tool for
landowners, permissive paths are not suitable in all instances as
the original route must remain open, leaving walkers exposed to
potential risk.
The current process for permanently diverting public rights is
complex and inflexible.
Read the proposals in the letter to Lord Gardiner here
