The Home Office paid a surprise and welcome visit a couple of weeks ago, in the form of Vernon Coaker, Under-Secretary of State. Mr Coaker visited Knebworth Park in the wake of the floods and foot & mouth outbreak to stress that the English Countryside is alive and well, and open for business as usual. He encouraged families not to shy away from the countryside and to make the most of excellent local attractions, such as beautiful Knebworth Park.
Over tea in the Garden Terrace Room I was able to thank him for his support – and particularly for singling out Knebworth Park – but I also took the opportunity to express my opinion on the Government’s current Rights of Way policy, which makes “business as usual” increasingly difficult. Worse, the policy is having a negative effect on what it is trying to achieve. Instead of opening up the countryside, the Government’s one-sided legislation is forcing farmers, landowners and those who look after the countryside to batten down the hatches. Now every walker who is not strictly adhering to a footpath has to be challenged. Now absurd amounts of time and money, both private and public, are being spent arguing ancient highways which ceased to be hundreds of years ago for practical and good reason. Now insurance and legal costs are ballooning to protect against spurious claims and the general public’s abjured responsibility.
Hertfordshire is well served for footpaths, and because of them our beautiful countryside can be enjoyed by everyone. Those who care for the countryside want their fields and their labours to be enjoyed – but they need support and a livelihood, not more red tape and legal expense. Mr Coker’s vocal support is much appreciated and the Government is well-intentioned, but legislating beyond common sense only raises the hackles, and creates distrust and ill-feeling. Yes, do not shy away from the countryside, but also, do not shy away from the responsibility of its maintenance, nor its occasional mishaps – and let’s re-open that two-way path of trust and understanding between those who care for the countryside dearly, and those who care for it daily.
Henry Lytton Cobbold
www.knebworthhouse.com