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14th September 2004

MOORLAND VISITOR’S CODE LAUNCHED

The Moorland Access Advisory Group has published today (14th September) a new Code of Conduct specifically for the uplands of England.

The ‘Right of Access to Open Country’ welcomes walkers to ‘mountain, moor, registered common land, heath and down’. 80 % of new open access land is heather moorland – some of the most protected and rare habitat in Europe.

Britain has three quarters of the world’s remaining heather, and it is these heather moorlands that provide some of the last safe havens for ground nesting birds such as curlew, lapwing, merlin, golden plover and black grouse.

The Moorland Access Advisory Group1 has produced this new Code in advance of Open Access in some part of England on the 19th of September and hot on the heels of the updated Countryside Code launched by the Countryside Agency earlier in the Summer.

Said Paul Mutch, Senior Countryside Officer for the Countryside Agency: “Whilst retaining the same key messages as the new Countryside Code, the Moorland Visitor’s Code goes into more depth on specific issues relating to the management and wellbeing of the uplands. For instance, an uncontrolled fire on heather moorland can be devastating to the landscape and fatal to important animals and plants. The Code asks visitors to respect warning signs, particularly during periods of hot dry weather, never to light barbecues or gas stoves and not to drop cigarette ends or discard bottles and matches.” Contd/2





Moorland Visitor’s Code/2

The Code informs walkers that between 1st October and 15th April, controlled management burning takes place to improve grazing and provide food and cover for red grouse. Visitors are asked to report any fires outside these dates to the fire service, and if possible, the nearest dwelling.

Martyn Howat, Chairman of the Moorland Access Advisory Group and Regional Director for English Nature in the North East and Yorkshire said: “The key message English Nature is keen to get across is the ‘unseen’ damage loose dogs can do to wildlife on moorland. Internationally important birds such as curlew, lapwing, red grouse, merlin, golden plover and black grouse rely on moorland to breed and are vulnerable because they nest and live on the ground. Parent birds can be frightened off their nests long enough to chill the eggs and kill the chicks inside and hatched chicks can be scattered and unable to return to the parent for protection from predators and the cold.”

In order to minimise this impact, the Code asks visitors to keep their dog on a short lead on most areas of moorland in the nesting and lambing season – from 1 March to 31 July - and to expect not to be able to take their dog onto some areas of heather moorland at any time of year, to protect wildlife. When planning a moorland walk, it is essential to check www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk to see if dogs are allowed and obey local signs.

Said Simon Bostock, Chairman of The Moorland Association: “The Moorland Visitor’s Code gives information about how the land is managed, the fantastic wildlife that is our upland heritage and how to enjoy it in a responsible way. Management of the uplands for grouse shooting plays a big part in conserving our heather heritage and we hope that the Code will enable anyone wishing to visit these wonderful wild places to do so with all the information they will need to fully enjoy the experience.”
Contd/3








Moorland Visitor’s Code/3

Copies of the leaflet will be available in all visitor and information centres that serve moorland areas as open access is introduced2 and via the website www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk. Copies of the leaflet can be ordered from the Countryside Agency in Manchester (0161 237 1061) or Newcastle (0191 269 1600)

- Ends –

Notes to Editors:

1 The Moorland Access Advisory Group was set up to advise on the management of access over heather moorland and associated access land. It represents the views of English Nature, The Countryside Agency, The Moorland Association, National Parks Authorities, The Game Conservancy Trust, The Ramblers Association, National Gamekeepers Association and National Farmers Union as applied to land from the Peak District to the Scottish Border.


2 Open Access will be introduced to Mapping Area 1 and 2 only on the 19th of September. Mapping Area 2 (Lower North West) covers Lancashire (excluding a small area north of the A65), a small part of Cumbria south of the A65, part of North Yorkshire (including Craven), part of West Yorkshire (including Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees), Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, parts of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire in the Peak District National Park, as well as parts of north west Derbyshire that border the National Park.