§ 21. Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the progress made with implementation of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. [20577]
§ Alun MichaelWe are making good progress. Consultation began last month on the first draft maps showing where the new right of access to open country and registered common land might apply. We shall shortly publish the first of a series of consultation papers on the Act's rights of way provisions and we are working closely with English Nature to improve the condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest. We expect to lay regulations on vehicular access over common land early in the new year.