A Bolton MP has taken his campaign to bring in a national ‘right to roam’ to Parliament. Earlier this month, Bolton West MP Phil Brickell honoured the Winter Hill Trespass anniversary as part of a campaign to improve access rights across the countryside. The original Winter Hill Trespass took place on September 6, 1896, when 10,000 Bolton workers marched over the hill to regain access to a path that had been closed off by a landowner.
On Monday, September 16, the MP took the campaign closer to the country’s top decisionmakers, asking a written question to the environment secretary about what steps he is taking to extend the right to roam. Follow The Bolton News on Facebook , Instagram , X (Twitter) , and TikTok . In Scotland, the Land Reform Act 2003 gives everyone rights of access over land and inland water throughout Scotland for recreational purposes – with some restrictions.
In England, meanwhile, the situation is different, with only open access land or public rights of way having any legal access guaranteed – even then, unlike in Scotland, wild camping is prohibited in most of the country. In response to the MP’s written question, environment minister Mary Creagh said: “Our countryside and green spaces are a source of great national pride, but too many across the country are left without access to the great outdoors. “That is why the last Labour Government expanded public access by introducing the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which provided th.
