England

As from 29th March, Ramblers have received an exemption and we are able to resume official walks. Coventry Ramblers offer a gentle walk on Sunday 4 April to kick start our programme. Booking is required for each walk with the leader. Anyone wishing to be part of these walks should contact the leader. Car sharing is still not permitted.

The UK government roadmap for lifting lockdown means people in England will be allowed to walk outside in groups of six or two households, from Monday 29 March. It has also been confirmed by the UK government that organised sport and physical activity, which include Ramblers group walks, can also resume from the 29 March, and are exempt from legal gathering limits. Ramblers volunteer activities will also be able to take place once again. For now, you must continue to stay local and avoid non-essential travel. You must not travel to Scotland or Wales.

• Walking with family & friends: You can walk outdoors by yourself, with members of your household or support bubble, or with one other person. From Monday 29 March, two households, or groups of up to six, will be able to get together for informal walks.
• Ramblers group walks: All group walks are suspended until 29 March.
• Path maintenance: All path maintenance activities are suspended until 29 March.
• Other Ramblers activities: All other Ramblers activities are suspended until 29 March, unless they can be carried out from home. Committee meetings must be held online.

Please check the latest updates from Ramblers.org.uk and guidance on meeting others safely.

If you’re exercising in your local countryside, act responsibly. Always remember to follow the Countryside Code and don’t travel unnecessarily.

9 April 2020

The Ramblers have been in regular contact with DEFRA and Natural England about the widespread reports of illegal closures of public rights of way amid fears that the public and landowners could be exposed to the new coronavirus while using a public right of way.

Defra has released new guidance for public rights of way during coronavirus pandemic.

The full text of the approved guidance is below. If you come across any obstructions or closures while you are taking your daily exercise please report these to the highway authority.

Public Rights of Way and Covid-19

The government’s priority is to save lives and the best way to protect yourself and others from illness is to stay at home.

However, exercise is still important for people’s physical and mental wellbeing, so the government has said people can leave their homes for exercise once a day.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and Country Land and Business Association (CLA) have told us that some landowners are still concerned about increased use of public rights of way on their property increasing the risk to livestock, such as instances of gates being left open and dogs not being controlled.

To help address this we will publish a supplementary video on social media in advance of this weekend, reminding people to follow the Countryside Code. This will be published on Twitter @DefraGovUK and Defra’s Facebook page. We encourage you to share this with your members and networks.

Finally, further concerns have been raised by stakeholders that the use of public rights of way that run through gardens, farmyards and schools is increasing the risk of exposure to the coronavirus to residents and farm workers.

The risk of the coronavirus being passed on to others from people using public rights of way and other paths and trails is considered to be very low as long as people follow the Government’s instructions to maintain social distancing.

Landowners do not have the legal right to block or obstruct public rights of way. However, in very limited circumstances where large numbers of people are using such routes, landowners may consider the following measures:

• tying gates open if it is safe to do so, so that walkers do not need to touch the gate.
• temporarily displaying polite notices that encourage users to respect local residents and workers by following social distancing guidelines and consider using alternativeroutes that do not pass through gardens, farmyards or schools. Note: this is a polite request only, and there is no power under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 for landowners to close or obstruct a public right of way
• offering an alternative route around gardens and farmyards only where it is safe to do so (you must gain permission from relevant landowners and make sure the route is safe for users and livestock) provided that the original right of way is maintained.

Key points to Note under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW):

• Under Section 39 of CROW it is an offence to fail to comply with an order of the Magistrate’s Court to remove an obstruction. So a landowner must not obstruct any right of way.
• It is an offence under section 14 of CROW to display a notice that contains “any false or misleading information likely to deter the public from exercising” a right of way.
• Landowners may be liable for personal injury under section 13 (6C) of CROW if they are reckless or intend to create a risk – for example by offering a dangerous alternative.

This means that:

• If a land owner offers an alternative route, they must ensure that it is safe to use and that the existing right of way is maintained so that users with differing abilities have a choice.
• A notice must not imply that there is any doubt about the use of the existing right of way.

These temporary measures must be lifted as soon as social distancing measures are relaxed.

Please visit our website for full guidance on walking at the current time: Coronavirus – the latest Ramblers advice for supporters, members and volunteers.