Countryside and rights of way act
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 makes provision for public access to the countryside in England and Wales. The Act makes way for the creation of a right of access to land mapped by the Countryside Agency or Countryside Council for Wales as: - "open country"
- registered common land
- land over 600 metres above sea level
It also creates the new power of Dedication, which can be applied to any land, including woodlands, and gives that land the equivalent status as ‘access land’ over which the public will have right of access. In December 2001 the Forestry Commissioners decided that wherever possible the Forestry Commission’s freehold estate in England and Wales would be dedicated, giving right of access over that land in perpetuity. Partners involved in delivering the Act: - Forestry Commission
- The Countryside Agency
- English Nature
- English Heritage
- The Countryside Council for Wales
- Cadw
- The National Park Authorities in England and Wales
These organisations have a number of statutory functions detailed in the Act. The booklet "Administering CRoW as the Relevant Authority" (see below) gives full details of the responsiblilties of a Relevant Authority. 
Administering CRoW as the Relevant Authority booklet (678k - pdf)
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