Countryside - Local access forum

The Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000, (the "CROW" Act), gave a new duty to all County and Unitary Councils to establish and maintain a Local Access Forum.

In June 2002, this Council took the decision to take advantage of the provisions within the Act to have a 'joint' Forum, alongside Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire County Council, the latter acting as the 'host' authority. Since October 2002, the Hampshire Countryside Access Forum has represented those three authorities, having 18 members of the public with an interest in all facets of countryside and rights of way access, (balanced between users, managers, land owners, conservation and tourism) are all represented.

The Forum also consists of officers from the three authorities who have responsibility for rights of way, access and general recreational facilities that involve walking, cycling, horse riding, off-road driving and other associated pastimes and pursuits.

To find out more, contact the Parks and Open Spaces team:

Email: parks@southampton.gov.uk