The new Open Access land boundaries will only be shown on the
1:25,000 scale Ordnance Survey maps and not on the 1,50,000 (pink)
Landranger series, which will consequently be less useful to walkers
says the OS.
The decision means that walkers and climbers who want a map
showing areas which are open to the public under the new Countryside
Act, will have to buy one of the Explorer or Outdoor Leisure series
25,000 series maps.
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Not so all purpose soon then eh?
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A OS spokesman told us that the decision had been taken because
they 'feel the Landranger maps are busy enough already' and
don't want to upset other users. On the 25,000 scale maps, the
boundaries will, we're told, be depicted with a subtle tint similar
to the banding used for National Trust and Forestry Commission access
land, but in a more subdued colour.
There are also plans for a web site covering the entire UK, which
will not only show Open Access areas, but also carry details of
temporary closures due to factors like grouse shooting. A great idea
but not much use to walkers on the move. 'The bottom line,' admitted
an OS spokesman,'is, if you want a map in your rucksack, you've got
to buy it.'
The OS has been working closely with the Countryside Commission in
England and the Countryside Council for Wales for the past 18 months,
the system works like this:
• The two Countryside bodies are responsible for determining
which areas are to be designated as Open Access land - a job which
will be contracted out - taking into account the views of statutory
Access Forums in certain Areas of Outstanding National Beauty like
the Peak District.
• Once the boundaries have been determined, the information
will be fed to the OS for inclusion on what they call 'Conclusive
Maps'
• Deadline for the Countryside bodies to finalise the
boundaries is 2005, but this doesn't mean that the maps will
definitely be available by this date.
• The Open Access Forums are a fine and democratic idea, but
the inevitable conflicts of interest between outdoor users and vested
interests like landowners are likely to slow the process down and
whether the 2005 deadline is realistic is anybody's guess.
More information when we have it. You can check out the Ordnance
Survey web site by clicking
here.
