LEGALISE WILD CAMPING IN THE UK
There’s an e-petition on the go at the moment – the idea is that it MAY just persuade our government to allow wild camping in the UK.
Wild camping is currently allowed in Scotland, subject to sensible guidelines and limitations, but the only place where it’s possible to wild camp in other parts of the UK (as far as I know) is on Dartmoor.
Not being able to wild camp is a bit of a bugger. We have loads of really nice long distance paths in the UK, many of them are just crying out to be backpacked – yet there a few place to camp legally. Just check out the Dales Way.
Presently there is only one way to backpack many of these routes, and that is to stealth camp – and that’s illegal and quite a faff. Trying to pitch your tent as it’s going dark and then packing up before anyone is about subtracts considerably from the journey.
The Backpackers Club provides lists of camps spots to members but it’s very subject to change and is difficult to keep up to date, in spite of that it’s an incredibly valuable resource for UK backpackers…..and membership is VERY cheap.
The petition is aimed at the responsible department, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and states that:
The law should be made similar to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 covering open land & national parks in England & Wales. Wild camping enthusiasts are not a threat to our national parks & open spaces.
Current legislation is ineffective & prevents teachers & leaders educating the young / interested on how to preserve & treat the environment with respect. As a result, when people do ignore the current law & wild camp, they have no concept of what to do & often leave large amounts of mess / litter. Genuine outdoor enthusiasts are put off by fear of 'getting into trouble' leaving our green places the domain of those who don't care about the law. This is unjust.
Current legislation prevents the people who could & would have a positive, voluntary impact on the environment from enjoying it. It is unpoliced and is ignored by louts, teenagers & drunks. It keeps the good out while the bad ignore it. Current legislation needs to be changed.
So if you feel you can support this e-petition and want to sign it just click here to take you to the website.
Duly done
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn!
DeleteMe too.
ReplyDeleteSigned - whilst I still can as a UK citizen!
ReplyDeleteDone. And retweeted the link.
ReplyDeleteThat would be good. I will sign.
ReplyDeleteSigned & tweeted link
ReplyDelete'tis done.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I prefer to find a campsite I have wild-camped all over the place and never had a problem, but it would be good to know that you are legal.
Thanks everyone!
ReplyDeleteThere are some very interesting and valid arguments being aired on this e-petition on Outdoors Magic - definitely worth a read.
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/soapbox/wild-camping-e-petition---legal-uk/63632-2.html
Current legislation needs to be changed. Fine John. But what to? It's no good just doing the petulant "I want" routine with HM Govt... IMHO you'll need to know exactly what it is you wish to see come about, why it should be granted and how, and you'll need some idea of the legislation that could be put in place to achieve it and simultaneously persuade genuinely concerned and reticent landowners that they wont be over-run by Devil-worshippers and other "outdoors weirdo's" if you get your wishes granted. Oh, and not duplicating your requests on Outdoors Magic might suggest there is some cohesion within the group who wants this change to come about. Some sort of organisation would probably be a more attractive thing for "the powers that be" to deal with, than some vague collection of petition-signers. Just saying... 73 de G0TDE
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting response, thanks.
DeletePerhaps your questions should be directed to the originator of the e-petition, Neil Robinson - who I don't know. I'm just a messenger with an interest in wild camping.
I don't for one minute think that this petition will succeed in a change in the law. However I do hope that the the mere existence of it (and previous petitions) will be noticed by the powers-that-be and that they MAY realise that there's an interest (or not) in a law change.
Those interested in legalising wild camping in the UK in general will each have different wishes and ideas. It's up to them to get together and formulate a realistic and reasonable solution - and then to present it to the government.
As I mentioned in an earlier comment, there's a number of very interesting and valid arguments on-going at OM. Those points of view have certainly made me look at the situation in a different light.
As to MY wishes, well I haven't actually stated them! I personally think that a change is needed. I don't think it's reasonable to allow camping everywhere, apart from anything else it's completely impractical.
The Scottish model works quite well - in Scotland. Scotland is a big place with huge areas of open country. England it ain't, wild camping at that level of 'freedom' is just a no-no. IMHO.
I'd like to see National Parks allowing wild camping within limits.
I'd also like to see some areas around our Long Distance Paths being made available for wild camping.
Your suggestion of an organisation comprising interesting parties sounds good to me, a united front with a common aim and all that. It's just going to need someone, or a group of people with the vision and motivation to make it happen.
Thanks for your comments!
73 de G4WQD . .