1 December 2000 Walkers and wildlife win through new act People will soon have the right to explore four million acres open countryside for the first time, through the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 - which has now received Royal Assent. It is the first major piece of countryside and wildlife legislation in almost 20 years. It strikes a fair balance between the needs of land owners and walkers. Walkers must behave responsibly and abide by common sense restrictions.
Land can be closed areas for land management or safety reasons and to safeguard wildlife.
By introducing the first comprehensive rights of way improvement plans in England and Wales, and providing stronger powers to remove obstructions, we shall ensure that everyone has access to good quality footpaths, bridleways and other public rights of way. The deliberate release of non-native and certain other species could result in prison sentences of up to two years. These measures come into effect on 1 February. The right of access does not come into force straight away. Work first needs to be done by the Countryside Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales to ensure that people know where they may walk safely and understand the needs of farmers and other land users.