Walkers on path to change

Ramblers strayed from the straight and narrow path in the Chilterns yesterday to demonstrate the shortcomings of the voluntary approach to public access advocated by their old adversary, the Country Landowners' Association, writes Stephen Goodwin.

With the Labour Party pledged to legislate for a right to roam over uncultivated land, the CLA has become increasingly keen to promote a less radical option.

Tomorrow, the CLA will hold a conference in London to sell its ideas for giving the public more access to the countryside through voluntary agreements with landowners. But the Ramblers' Association says landowners have had every chance to "volunteer" access and failed to do so. "It is time to use the law to end this dishonest farce," Kate Ashbrook, the RA's chairman.