The county council's countryside rangers will be joining their counterparts across the north and volunteers for a major survey into 'open access sites' this Sunday (9 September).
'Open access' sites are mountains, moors, heathland and lowland areas which, following government legislation implemented in 2005, now offer wider access to the public than just the normal paths. The survey involves going out onto open access sites and finding out how the public are using their new rights and establishing what they understand about their responsibilities on the land.
Surveys are taking place over the whole of the year, but Sunday 9 September is the day when rangers and volunteers from Cumbria, Northumberland and County Durham will all be out on the same day.
The North Pennines Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership has been co-ordinating the day along with Cumbria County Council and the county councils in Northumberland and County Durham and Natural England.
The countryside rangers from Cumbria County Council have also been helping to pilot the questionnaires that will be used on the day.
The rangers are interested in finding out the route people have taken, what they thought of the gates and information boards and whether they understand the restrictions in place.
Cumbria countryside ranger Geoff Fewkes will be at Jockey Shield near Castle Carrock on Sunday 9 September.
ENDS
For further information or to arrange photos/filming/interviews etc please call Geoff Fewkes on 07789 603253