HL Deb 22 May 2000 vol 613 c44WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What methodologies they intend to put in place to measure the effect of open access on the environment and on those who earn their living from the land. [HL2391]

Lord Whitty

The proposed new right of public access to open countryside forms a key part of the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill, which is currently being considered in another place. Although the new right will not come into effect for some time, the Government, together with key relevant statutory bodies, including the Countryside Agency and English Nature, are already considering what work might usefully be done to evaluate its environmental and economic impact.