Welsh coast opens up to climbers and walkers Victory for a BMC campaign in simplifying access to the Welsh coast
At the moment, most sea-cliff climbing in Wales could technically be regarded as trespass. Right of access isn’t guaranteed, even when the top of the cliff is mapped as open access land under the CROW Act. However, in a big win for a long-running BMC campaign, the situation is set to change. It
restrictions on access to sea cliffs made a significant positive difference to our case for better access, so thank you.
all began five years ago, when the Welsh Government announced plans to shake up access laws in Wales – in case you didn’t know, many areas of public life, including tourism and countryside access, are fully devolved to the Welsh Government. In 2014, the BMC were virtually a lone voice campaigning for access to the coast to be improved as part of this access shake-up. Our proposals were met with strong opposition from both conservation and landowning representatives. Undeterred, we lobbied hard for improved coastal access: a working group was created to look at the proposals, Gogarth visits were arranged for government ministers, presentations were put on at the Senedd (Welsh Assembly), and workshops were held to build support among politicians and civil servants. Thousands signed up to our ‘Open Wales’ campaign. BMC members were also consulted via Area Meetings in Wales and nationally via the website. The Welsh Government’s public consultation received a record-breaking number of responses and, in 2019, they proposed a number of changes to Welsh countryside access, including extending access to the coast and cliffs. There is little doubt that the long history of climbers sticking to the negotiated
“At the moment, most sea- cliff climbing in Wales could technically be regarded as trespass. In a big win for a long-running BMC campaign, the situation is set to change”
Other changes proposed as part of the access shake-up are: more integrated access (for example, joining up areas of open access in hill and mountain areas), legalised wild swimming on open access land, creating a new category of multi-user path, which would allow cycling and horseriding on what are currently just footpaths, and permitting paragliding on Open Access land. Landowners look set to benefit from the proposals as well as users. Coastal land that is designated as open access means reduced liability for the safety of the visitors. As with open access land in the hills, landowners will not be held responsible for accidents or incidents to visitors that are caused by natural features.
What next?
An independent Access Reform Group has been set up to look at the issues. There will be meetings throughout 2020, and the findings will feed into to a report that will be compiled by the end of the year. The new legislation is slated to be in place by June 2021.
The BMC intends to be fully involved with this process and will be consulting with members, lobbying Welsh Assembly members and organising events to ensure our voice and our members’ interests are fully represented.
If you’re a
climber, you need the RAD App
The RAD App is essential for our continued privilege of access to crags
An app version of the Regional Access Database launched in April 2018, allowing users to search for crag access notes while on the move. The updated version is much more functional than previous versions and works on both iOS and Android devices.
READ
More about the proposed changes:
www.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-campaign-wins-open- access-to-the-welsh-coast
Access to crags is not guaranteed. Premier venues can be lost, with climbers the culprits. The BMC works hard to build relationships with landowners and managers and to mend rocky ones. Two years ago we launched a new campaign, Respect the Rock - 10 principles to remind climbers not only to look after the rock itself, but also the surrounding landscape and crag access. You can find these common-sense principles online. Thanks to everyone for respecting the rock. The BMC can’t do it alone; we need you to take personal responsibility and help keep our crags open and the rock in good condition. Be an access hero and #respecttherock.
Check it here now:
www.thebmc.co.uk/RAD
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