Laws need to change to give people better access to nature closer to their homes, the chair of a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has said.
The APPG is focusing on Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature and has called for evidence to help enable more people to access green and blue spaces.
The group is inviting written submissions from individuals, organisations, and experts.
Please share your ideas that would enable more people to access green and blue spaces >>
Andy McNae MP, chair of the group, said:
“Britain is a beautiful country, with an amazing variety of landscapes to enjoy.
“We know that getting out into nature is good for our bodies, our minds and our economy, with the outdoor industry supporting over 500,000 jobs and sustaining many rural communities.
“Despite this, so much of the English countryside remains inaccessible and unconnected.
“Only 8% of land and just 4% of our rivers have an uncontested right of access, with the public footpaths we do have often blocked and in disrepair.”
Benefits of access to nature
Access to nature delivers multiple health, economic and environmental benefits for society.
However, access to nature in England is still fragmented and unequal and too many people face practical barriers when accessing the outdoors.
About 30% of adults in England live more than 15 minutes walk from an accessible green or blue space. Fewer than 4% of rivers have clear navigation rights.
Approximately 20% of people cannot use Public Right of Way (PRoW) because of mobility issues, a result of unnecessary barriers on the network such as gates and stiles.
Mr McNae added:
“Current access legislation has fundamental equality issues, discriminating by omission on the basis of ability, geography and cultural norms.
“If we want people to care about nature and lead active lives, they need access to it, close to where they live.
“New legislation must address the shortfalls in the current system. The Government must address this crisis, more substantial action is needed.”
Outdoor recreation positives
The Government’s manifesto included a commitment to improve access to nature, with more details expected later in 2025.
Over 34m people, including 1.9m children, engage in outdoor activity.
Outdoor Recreation activities have experienced some of the most positive swings post COVID of all activities tracked in Active Lives Survey.
It is estimated that outdoor activities generate around £22bn for the UK economy, with around £8.4bn being generated by trips that involve outdoor recreation.
The inquiry is considering ideas for new legislation and / or policy proposals which would include enabling more people to make use of existing access opportunities (including open access and public rights of way).
Improving access to landscapes (woodlands, riversides, water bodies, downland) and the safeguards needed for the environment and land management.
The APPG is inviting written submissions from individuals, organisations, and experts.
These may include outdoor organisations, access policy experts and land managers and owners with experience of people accessing land for outdoor recreation.
Deadline for submissions is midnight on 20 July 2025.
Please share your ideas that would enable more people to access green and blue spaces >>