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South Downs
 The
South
Downs stretches westwards for more than 90 miles from the
spectacular white cliffs of Beachy Head across Sussex and Hampshire
to Winchester. It contains some of the best-known and admired
hill country in the United Kingdom. The rolling chalk downland
contrasts with the countryside of the Weald, a more enclosed landscape
of woodland and farmland which is rich in history. Together these
two complementary landscapes form the majority of what will be
the South Downs National Park.
Climate Change
 The
effects of climate
change - rising sea levels, changing temperatures and extreme
weather conditions threaten the beauty of our countryside and
the ability of walkers to enjoy it. The Ramblers' Association
agrees with the government that climate change is the most pressing
environmental problem facing us today. We all have a role to play
in tackling its effects by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide.
Coastal Access
Did you know that in England and Wales, there is no general right to walk along the coast and on beaches?
Currently much of the access the public has to
areas such as beaches and cliff tops are by permission of the
landowner. As an island nation the coastline is part of our heritage.
The Ramblers’ Association believes people of all walks of life
have an affinity with our cliffs, coast and beaches, and wish
to visit them. This is why we are campaigning for a legal right
of access to safeguard
our coastline and beaches for future generations.
Footpath Guardians
Love walking? Protect the paths where you live
by becoming a Footpath
Guardian. A pack produced by the Rambler's Association contains
a step-by-step guide to reporting footpath problems and how you
can ensure they are resolved. By taking part you will not only
be helping to keep your local paths open, you will also help us
compile the first-ever national record of local authority performance
on reported path problems.
Forgotten Paths Project
Miles of public rights of way in England and
Wales are under threat from development or closure simply because
they have never been properly recorded. At least 20,000 paths
are reckoned to be missing from definitive maps, but it could
be many more.
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act has brought
in a deadline to have all paths properly recorded by 2026 - after
this date any historic paths not registered will be extinguished
forever. We need to act now to save as may forgotten
paths as we can!
This is a fascinating project that will appeal
to anyone interested in local history, researching documents and
preserving a part of our landscape for generations to come. The
Ramblers' Association have produced a comprehensive guide and
we have a team of volunteer consultants who can be contacted for
support and guidance.
Safe to Cross Campaign
Broken stiles and barbed wire fences can really
spoil a walk, but probably the most intimidating obstruction on
the footpath network is that posed by busy, dangerous roads.
Across England thousands of paths are severed
by busy roads, often rated at the national speed limit, with no
safe place to cross. That is why the Ramblers' Association has
launched the Safe
to Cross Campaign.
Footpath Erosion
As sea levels rise, accelerating the process
of coastal erosion in many areas of Britain, some of our most
spectacular paths are under threat. So, too, are many pleasant
riverside routes.
The danger is that the current legislative framework
provides scant protection for riverside and coastal paths. Once
eroded by a river or the sea a right of way is lost forever.
The Ramblers' Association is proposing to campaign
for legislation which will require local authorities to monitor
paths at risk, and to take remedial action either to protect paths
or to provide alternative routes.
 For
more information about our projects and campaigns, please
e-mail the Ramblers' Association
at ramblers@ramblers.org.uk,
or phone them on 0207 339 8500.
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