Opening up the great outdoors

13 Jul 2015 09:16 AM

The Welsh Government is asking people for their views on how opportunities to access the outdoors for responsible recreation can be improved.

With some 60% of people living in Wales stating they would like to visit the outdoors more often*, Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant said that theconsultation on improving opportunities to access the outdoors is the chance for people to have their say on what changes can be made to the current system.

Wales’ 33,000km of public rights of way network provides opportunities for local tourism and economic regeneration. However the current 'network' of public rights of way is widely perceived to be outdated. The system legislates for individual paths rather than networks and has resulted in routes not linking up as well as gaps in provision.

The Wales Coast Path demonstrates the economic worth outdoor recreation can bring - generating £32.2m of additional demand in the Welsh economy, £61.1m of GVA, and 730 person-years of employment.

The consultation is seeking views on ways to reduce the costs and burdens associated with administering public paths and wider access; how current and future recreational needs can be better met and ways to tackle some of the practical difficulties of improving opportunities for all.

Carl Sargeant said:

“Increasing opportunities for accessing the outdoors for recreation, whether for walking, cycling or any other recreational activity is an integral part of the Welsh Government’s drive to increase physical activity levels within the population of Wales.

“Having quality green spaces for recreation whether it be in an urban or rural community can help foster a sense of community ownership and enthusiasm for where people live.

“This consultation will explore issues around providing the right recreation opportunities in the right places. We want further evidence on how the current arrangements could be improved, whether that is through amendments to existing legislation or the potential creation of an entirely new regulatory framework.”