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The Access Reform Advisory group provides advice on the implementation of access reform.

About the group

The Access Reform Advisory Group was established in 2019. The establishment of the group was part of our response to this consultation: Taking Forward Wales’ Sustainable Management of Natural Resources Consultation – Access Proposals.

The group comprises a Steering Group and 3 Expert Groups. 

The infographic outlines the group’s membership and how it will work.

Our remit

The group’s remit is:

  • to provide advice on the implementation of access reform proposals
  • to report back to the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government in March 2021

Steering Group Membership

Steering Group Membership:

  • Simon Pickering (Welsh Government)
  • Jont Bulbeck (Natural Resources Wales (NRW))
  • Ben Sears (Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA))
  • Adrian Walls (Wales Rights of Way Managers Working Group)
  • Eifion Jones (National Parks Wales/Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB))

Expert Groups

Three expert Groups will consider:

  • Changes to Open Access
  • Flexibility on public paths
  • Communicating access rights

Each Expert Group includes representatives of:

  • Land Management interests; including farming unions and landowner representatives
  • Recreational interests; including cyclists, horse riders and walkers
  • Public Sector.

Expert Group 1 membership:

  • Jonathan Hughes – National Trust
  • Rhian Nowell Phillips – Countryside Alliance
  • Sophie Dwerryhouse – Country Land and Business Association
  • Rachel Lewis-Davies – National Farmers Union Wales
  • Hugh Craddock – Open Spaces Society
  • Mark Weston – British Horse Society
  • Kieran Foster – Cycling UK
  • Elfyn Jones – British Mountaineering Council
  • James Nevitt – Ministry of Defence
  • Richard Ball – Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority
  • Arwel Evans – Ynys Mon Council 
  • Pete Rutherford – Snowdonia National Park Authority

Expert Group 2 membership:

  • Rhian Nowell Phillips – Countryside Alliance
  • Sophie Dwerryhouse – Country Land and Business Association
  • Rachel Lewis-Davies – National Farmers Union Wales
  • Nick Fenwick – Farmers Union Wales
  • Angela Charlton – Ramblers Cymru
  • Kate Ashbrook – Open Spaces Society
  • Mark Weston – British Horse Society
  • Duncan Dollimore – Cycling UK
  • David Shiel – Clywydian Range AONB
  • Gareth Owen – Ceredigion County Council
  • Chris Dale – Swansea County Council
  • Anthony Richards – Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority

Expert Group 3 membership:

  • Rhian Nowell Phillips – Countryside Alliance
  • Charles de Winton – Country Land and Business Association
  • Rachel Lewis-Davies – National Farmers Union Wales
  • Nick Fenwick – Farmers Union Wales
  • Rebecca Brough – Ramblers Cymru
  • Beverley Penny – Open Spaces Society
  • Mark Weston – British Horse Society
  • Tim Hutton – Cycling UK
  • Gwyn Teague – Vale of Glamorgan County Council
  • Lisa Lloyd – Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority
  • Caroline Ferguson – Carmarthenshire County Council
  • Duncan Mackenzie – Data Cymru