§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by Lord Whitty on 18 December 2001 (HL Deb, col. 134) that "We expect to announce our intentions soon after the consultation on the draft maps in the first two mapping regions is complete in February next year", 92WA whether they have yet decided to open up open country and registered common land under Section 2 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 by way of commencement orders on a regional basis as and when the conclusive maps have been published for each region. [HL3480]
§ Lord WhittyWe are persuaded of the potential advantages to walkers of bringing the right of access into force on a regional basis but need to think further about the practical considerations in respect of, for example, managing access and ensuring that members of the public are properly informed of their rights and responsibilities. We are looking very carefully at this and will make an announcement when we have reached a decision.
§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will publish an analysis of responses to the consultation paper on the proposals on local access forums under Sections 94 and 95 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which was published in July 2001 and for which consultation closed on 23 October 2001; and when they intend to issue the draft regulations which the Minister for Rural Affairs said on 20 November 2001 he expected to come into force "early next year" (HC Deb, col. 203W); and [HL3481]
When they intend to publish an analysis of responses to the consultation paper on proposals for regulations on provisional and conclusive maps under Section 11 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which was published on 19 November 2001 and for which consultation closed on 8 February 2002; and when they intend to issue draft regulations. [HL3482]
§ Lord WhittyWe expect to make regulations in respect of local access forums in May this year. Regulations in respect of provisional and conclusive maps, including appeals against provisional maps, are scheduled to be made in June. An analysis of the responses to each of the preceding consultation papers will be published when the regulations are made.
§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to publish an analysis of responses to the consultation paper on proposals for regulations on draft guidance to local highway authorities on the preparation of the rights of way improvement plans, which was published on 21 December 2001 and for which comments were sought by 28 March 2002; and when they intend to issue draft regulations. [HL3483]
§ Lord WhittyWe envisage that final guidance, incorporating responses to the consultation paper, will be published in the summer, with a commencement order bringing into force Sections 60 to 62 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. We have no plans to make any regulations relating to this provision, but that is subject to the responses to consultation.