Wild Land News no 56, Winter 2002/2003

Progress on access Article

Alistair Cant reports on the land reform legislation.

The detailed study at Stage 2 of the access part of the land reform legislation has been completed, with the Bill seeing almost four times the previous highest record number of amendments. Clearly a topical issue!

Though a number of issues have been resolved, there are still some key ones outstanding. There is still a clause which excludes the right of access on land on which crops are growing. This needs to be amended so that access to such land is within the right; whereas damaging crops puts one outwith the right of access.

On the issue of access through farmyards in order to reach the land and hills beyond, an amendment to allow access where no alternatives exist was not passed, though the Scottish Executive plan to try and devise wording that would meet the intention of the amendment.

Another key issue still to be sorted is in relation to the powers of local authorities, and discussions are still continuing on this between the Scottish Executive and COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities).

The Bill reaches its final stage - Stage 3, probably early in the New Year. This will be a full parliamentary debate on the Bill and any further amendments. It is crucial for this final debate that MSPs are lobbied to support progressive amendments, so as to ensure that the worthy aims of this part of the land reform legislation is translated into real benefits.