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Countryside Officers

North West Bowland

Bowland leads the way on Open Access

On Sunday 19 th September 2004 at a beautiful remote part of the Abbeystead Estate in the heart of the Bowland Fells that history was made with the first launch nationally of the new right of open access introduced under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CRoW) 2000.

Here in the Forest of Bowland AONB preparations for this have been made over the past 3 years, with Lancashire Countryside Service working closely with the landowners and occupiers, local user groups, plus English Nature and the Countryside Agency. Much has been achieved as a result of the significant contribution made by all concerned. The recommendations outlined in the Bowland Pilot Study have been used up and down the country by the Countryside Agency and other local authorities as part of their planning for implementing the legislation.

Launch of Open Access at Abbeystead Estate

Launch of Open Access at Abbeystead Estate

As part of the preparation local contractors have been used to install 94 new pedestrian gates at new access points plus on internal boundaries. On site information is available at the majority of the 130 access points, and the County Council have appointed extra staff to assist with the management.

Work continues as much of the new Access land in the Forest of Bowland AONB is within its Special Protection Area (SPA), designated for the importance of the area’s upland heather moorland and blanket bog as habitats for upland birds. Many people depend on this land for their livelihoods including upland farming and game management.

New Access Land in Bowland offers some of the roughest and most remote walking in the Country and, linked with the network of public rights of way, gives plenty of scope for enjoyable and challenging walks. To assist walkers using the area a new leaflet is available with 6 suggested walks, it also provides guidance and outlines the importance of the area.

With this new right come responsibilities, both for the landowner and occupier and the walker.

Key messages to remember:

Be safe -plan ahead and follow the signs.
Observe the local dog restrictions where they apply: e.g. Dogs are usually excluded all year round from grouse moors and seasonally from lambing enclosures. On all other land must be on a 2metre lead during the bird-nesting season (1 st March to 31 st July).
Leave gates and property as you find them .

For a copy of the ‘Bowland Pilot Study Report’ and ‘Access Land: Forest of Bowland AONB leaflet ‘ please contact Lancashire Countryside Service on 01772 534709.

North Lancashire Bridleway

The first phase of the North Lancashire Bridleway was opened in June 2004, and runs for 47km from Denny Beck near Lancaster to Chipping in the Ribble Valley. The bridleway links together existing and newly created statutory and concessionary routes, with safe on-road sections, and is designed for use by horse riders, cyclists and walkers.

Lancashire Countryside Service developed the North Lancashire Bridleway in partnership with Lancashire Rural Futures, the Forest of Bowland AONB, farmers, landowners and representatives of the horse riding community. The bridleway provides a sustainable form of recreation linked with business opportunities for local enterprises and landowners, in the form of bed and breakfast establishments, livery provision and local food products.

Plans are now underway to identify and prioritise routes, which will complete the loop beyond Chipping westwards to Conder Green on the coastline, and then eventually link back to Denny Beck. In addition working on providing links to the Pennine Bridleway and improving on local bridleway networks within north Lancashire.

North Lancashire Bridleway being used

North Lancashire Bridleway being used

For a copy of the North Lancashire Bridleway (Phase 1) leaflet please contact Lancashire Countryside Service on 01772 534709. If require further information feel free to contact Mrs Tarja Wilson on 01200 426433.

Circular Walks based from Lune Valley villages

Both local residents and visitors to the villages of Caton and Wray have started to explore the local countryside on foot using circular walks.

At Caton this has been done in conjunction with RSPB, Caton Footpath Group, Caton Community School, Parish Council, Parish Lengthsman and a local artist.

Further up the valley at Wray Lancashire Rural has developed circular walks based from and around Wray village to tie in with the new Tearooms/car park at Bridge End Farm.

Development of circular walks from Hornby by the Parish Council have now been in use for several years.

For a copy of the leaflets please contact Lancashire Countryside Service on 01772 534709.

Traditional Boundaries

Traditional boundaries within the AONB are a critical component that makes the landscape of the Forest of Bowland special and ‘outstanding’. Boundaries such as drystone walls, hedges, boundary trees, ditches, metal railings, and earth banks all form an integral part of the historic landscape of the area.

In an effort to identify not only what currently exists on the ground but also its relative importance based on a range of criteria, research is being undertaken which will help to direct resources towards boundaries that are key landscape features within the AONB through the identification and assessment of boundary type, importance and condition. The studies have been funded by the AONB with Countryside Agency support.

Wall being restored

Wall being restored

To date Caton with Littledale, Bleasdale, Nether Wyresdale, Wray with Botton parishes have been surveyed. The studies aim to assess the condition of boundaries visible from public rights of way, and to prioritise lengths of boundary, or small areas, as restoration projects. These projects are then a priority for future funding applications.

A programme of restoration work, targeting the projects prioritised in the studies, has been started using existing grants wherever possible.

Parish Lengthsman Scheme

Following the successful pilot started 8 years ago in the Lune Valley this continues to expand across Lancashire with 15 Parish Lengthsman working in 40 parishes. 4 of these operate in this part of Lancashire

For further information follow the link to Parish Lengthsman .

Email: Tarja.Wilson@env.lancscc.gov.uk

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