Late news 2013
Descent ...
Access review
AN article on p36 presents an analysis of cave entrances in Northern England and whether they lie within CRoW land, prompted by a current investigation by cavers into whether the existing belief is correct that the Act does not permit access for caving by right. At least one online official FAQ is specific that it does not.
An interesting announcement was published by the Welsh government (www.wales.gov.uk) in November (though only briefly: it was taken down at the time of going to print; links to it remained in place as did a page of questions). This stated that ‘a review of existing legislation and guidance relating to access and outdoor recreation’ was to take place, specifically mentioning ‘activities such as walking, angling, caving, canoeing, climbing, and wild swimming’. The thrust seems to be to change legislation to permit such sports and ‘secure better access to the outdoors for recreation ... and provide clarity and certainty over where people can go and what they can do there.’