Local Access Forum

In response to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Blackpool Borough Council established the Lancashire Local Access Forum in May 2001. The primary purpose of the Forum is to provide advice to the authorities and the Countryside Agency on how to make the countryside more accessible and enjoyable for open-air recreation in ways which address social, economic and environmental interests. It is the intention of the Forum to encourage and influence a strategic approach to recreational provision within Lancashire. The Forum meets at least twice a year and, when fully constituted, comprises 22 members.

Membership of the Forum is required by the regulations governing it to reflect the broad range of interests involved in and affected by the countryside to ensure that not only are the full benefits realised but the interests of landowners, farming, wildlife and landscape are respected.

The membership includes farmers, estate managers, walkers, horse riders, trail riders, conservationists and independent members who feel they can represent the best interests of the public.

The Forum plays a major role in advising Lancashire County Council on the implementation of access to open country and is now closely involved in the implementation of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Lancashire. A key part of its work has included the promotion of improvements in Low mobility Access to the Countryside.

Dates of future Lancashire Local Access Forum meetings

Tuesday 13th January 2009, 10am, Gujarat Centre, Preston

Tuesday 7th April 2009, 10am, Blackburn Town Hall

Tuesday 30th June 2009, County Hall, Preston

5th Annual Report of the Lancashire Local Access Forum (PDF format, size 688 kb)

Agenda item seven ROWIP Funding Report (PDF format, size 106 kb)

ROWIP Funding Presentation (PDF format, size 168 kb)

PEOPLE AND HEN HARRIER MONITORING PROJECT – FOREST OF BOWLAND (PDF format, size 2.9 Mb)

The Bowland fells are highly significant for nature conservation. The upland areas of heather moorland and blanket bog are rich in plant life and are internationally important for many threatened species of bird, including the hen harrier.
Until September 2004, public access to the Bowland Fells was limited to public rights of way and areas subject to access agreements and an access order (Wolf Fell) made under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.
The introduction of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act) in September 2004 created a right of public access, on foot, to large areas of the Bowland Fells.
It was recognised that monitoring the impact of access on hen harriers was vital. Since 2005, monitoring of visitors and hen harriers has been carried out by Countryside Rangers and electronic counters.
This report analyses the data gathered and covering the period 2005 to 2007.