Residents encouraged to join Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum

Thursday, 19 September 2024 10:00

Wiltshire Council is encouraging its residents to join the Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum (WSCAF) to share their views and advise the council on improving access to the countryside and on rights of ways matters.

WSCAF is a joint local access forum and is responsible for the whole of Wiltshire, as well as the area administered by Swindon Borough Council.

Members of WSCAF represent a range of interests relevant to accessing the countryside and rights of ways, including landowners, walkers, and other leisure countryside users.

The council is looking to appoint people with a passion for the countryside and experience in aspects of rights of ways matters and countryside recreation, to help achieve a balance between the users of rights of ways and landowners who provide access to them.

Users of rights of way include walkers, horse riders, cyclists, carriage drivers, disabled users, those with visual impairments and off-road vehicle users. Those who provide access to them include landowners, farmers, land managers and other users involved in forestry, conservation and tourism.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for our residents to join the Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum and share their views on accessing the countryside.

“We are particularly looking for landowners to share their views and give advice, but anyone with an active interest in the countryside and countryside access is welcome to apply.

“We want to empower communities and groups to get involved in local responsibilities and this provides an opportunity for people to do this.

“Whether you regularly use rights of ways or provide access to them, I would encourage you to apply.”

To find out more about the Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum and to fill out an application form, people can visit: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/1623/Wiltshire-and-Swindon-Countryside-Access-Forum

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