§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in establishing local access forums; and if she will make a statement. [13867]
§ Alun MichaelI am pleased to say that we are making significant progress. On 31 July I published a consultation document on proposals for regulations to establish local access forums under Section 94(1) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The consultation closed on 23 October. We received around 300 responses, and these will be considered with care when drafting the regulations. I expect the regulations to come into force early next year.