MANIFESTO FOR CLIMBING AND HILL WALKING IN

2021

www.thebmc.co.uk www.thebmc.co.uk interests of climbers, interests ofclimbers, Wales andEngland. to these pursuits in to thesepursuitsin good practice in all good practiceinall Mountaineering Mountaineering mountaineers and mountaineers and body for climbers, body forclimbers, activities related activities related Council (BMC) mountaineers in mountaineers in hill walkers and hill walkersand hill walkersand representative representative is the national is thenational BMC Cymru is BMC Cymruis promoting the promoting the committed to committed to The British The British Wales. We have 5key asks. sustainable environment tobe enjoyed by all. must take toachieve ahealthy anda nation keythe we actions believe Welsh Government manifestoIn this for 2021,BMCCymru highlights brighter andmoreadventurous future for all. to working with Welsh Government tobuilda and independence.BMCCymru iscommitted knowledge developing andskills, resilience environmental awareness, andprovides useful understanding countrysideof the to leading fostersand mentalhealth, and anappreciation delivers long-termbenefits for goodphysical Regular outdoor activity, in childhood, particularly being for people the of Wales. social, cultural, environmental and economic well- seventhe well-being goalsanddeliver long-term and encourage helpachieve will outdoor recreation (Wales) Act 2016. which Strong policies enable (Wales)Generations Act 2015 andEnvironment deliveryis centraltothe of the Well-being of Future managing our landscapefor sustainablerecreation doorstep,aswell fromtheir recreation as opportunities for peopletobenefitfrom outdoor is foressential anactive, healthy Enabling nation. freeandfairthat countryside accesstothe public The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemichasproven component offuture publicpolicy. access to thecoastandcountrysideisakey to ensure thatoutdoorrecreation and In 2021, we are callingonthepoliticalparties adventures in Wales’ great outdoors. active nationenjoying life-affirming BMC Cymru wants to achieve athriving, VALUE OF WALKINGVALUE RECOGNISE THE •  •  •  for all. walking andmountaineeringaccess focus aparticular with on climbing, long-term visionfor outdoor recreation, Government a departmentstorealise We wishtowork relevant all with Welsh Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language. Mental and SocialServices; Health Environment, EnergyandRural Affairs; Economy and Transport; Education; portfolios: Culture, Sport and Tourism; arerelevantrecreation acrossmany The value andbenefits of outdoor PORTFOLIOS WITHIN GOVERNMENT AND CLIMBING We askfor: resilience andenhancecommunitycohesion. and marketingtoembraceequality, build people, supportedbyeffectivecommunications engagement withcommunitiesespeciallyyoung and mountaineering outdoor recreation,toincludeclimbing,walking the formationofaSeneddCross-PartyGroupfor Generations (Wales) Act2015 being goalsoutlinedintheWell beingofFuture outdoor recreationinmeetingthesevenwell- recognise andpromotetheimportanceof all politicalpartiestosupportpolicieswhich 1 NationalPark from GlyderFawr, Ogwen Valley, R

Hillwalking, View ofSnowdonRange being toalocalpark;19%the the outdoorswith30%ofvisits beach orcoastlineand14%to than amilefromhometovisit of adultsinWales travelless (NRW NationalSurveyfor Wales 2016-17 47 woodland orforest. - OutdoorRecreation) %

PHOTO: GARRY SMITH. •  •  •  •  current regulatory framework. the whilst modernisingandsimplifying people cangoandwhatthey cando provide clarityandcertainty over where Newrecreation. should legislation countrysideaccess tothe for informal to provide improved andincreased Access Reform Programme in Wales We principle stronglysupportthe of the foot countryside tothe good. isapublic BMC Cymru believes access that on COUNTRYSIDE COASTAND TO THE IMPROVE ACCESS We askfor: with user/recreationgroups. access opportunitiesdevelopedinconsultation support forlandmanagementdeliversimproved consultation withtheoutdoorsector increasing demand;developedsustainablyandin sensitive infrastructuretoaccommodate including appropriateandenvironmentally Welsh Governmentinvestinimprovingaccess, from informalrecreationontheirland liability toprotectvisitorsfrompersonalinjury land ownersoroccupiersdonotincurany coast andanassociatedmarginofland the rightofaccessonfootbeextendedto 2 South Coast,LlŷnPeninsula R

Bouldering, PorthBouldering, Ysgo, Walking wasthemainactivity exercise (43%) were the most exercise (43%)werethemost quarters (72%) of all adults in quarters (72%)ofalladultsin undertaken by nearly three undertaken bynearlythree common reasons given for common reasonsgivenfor Fresh air(43%)andhealth/ 72 (NRW NationalSurveyforWales 2016-17 respondents’ lastvisit. Wales in2016. - Out-doorRecreation) %

PHOTO: SIMON PANTON. MANAGEMENT OF THE OFTHE MANAGEMENT ENSURE SUSTAINABLE many of our mostcherishedplaces. Designated Landscapeswhichinclude statutorysupports the purposes of our a renewed focus. BMCCymru strongly designated andwiderlandscapesrequires management ofour sustainable the increasing demandfor outdoor recreation, managed sustainably.be must With and and economynation ofour health coastline of Wales isintegraltothe The quality countrysideof the and LANDSCAPE •  We askfor: andcoast properly protectWales’ mostsensitive areasof and AreasofOutstandingNaturalBeauty)to Designated Landscapes(includingNationalParks adequate fundingforallbodiesmanaging 3 (Natural ResourcesWales) cover approximately25%ofWales. Outstanding NaturalBeauty(AONBs), National ParksandAreasof 25 •  •  •  •  being affectedin Wales. faster rateandsupportcommunitiesalready to addressclimatechange,cutemissionsata Welsh Governmenttotakefurther urgentaction communities andotherusers safety; carefortheenvironment;respectlocal recreation; toincludepersonalresponsibilityfor understanding inthoseenjoyingoutdoor responsible behaviouranddevelop investment ininitiativeswhichencourage network ofactivetravelroutes to travelaccessthecountryside,linked transport systemtoallowresidentsandvisitors an environmentallysustainable,affordablepublic landscape importance ofthebeautyandwildnessWales’ inappropriate development,recognisingthe protects ourcountrysideandcoastlinefrom a sustainableapproachtoplanningwhich % 4 5

IMPROVE PUBLIC EVALUATE AND environment but also in the resultant potential for engaging in outdoor HEALTH THROUGH APPRECIATE activities using high quality professional PARTICIPATION THE ECONOMIC outdoor sector providers (8,000 FTE), Participation in climbing, walking and IMPORTANCE OF who are a core component of the rural mountaineering has significant life-long INFORMAL ACCESS TO economy in Wales. impacts on improving physical and THE COUNTRYSIDE We ask for: mental health. Being active outdoors, Outdoor activity tourism (in which exposed to natural places and wildlife • up-to-date research into the value of the social climbing and walking are an important whilst exploring mountains, coasts and economic contribution of the sector part) is currently an important sector for and cliffs leads to personal growth. the Welsh economy and will continue • Welsh Government to embrace and support BMC Cymru welcomes the investment to grow in importance as the outdoor outdoor activity opportunities to empower local Welsh Government has committed to activity sector grows. communities, businesses and individuals to gain initiatives which increase participation direct and indirect economic benefit in outdoor recreation and supports the Wales’ rural economic prosperity is reliant further roll-out of these schemes. This on continued free access to its coast • Welsh Government to recognise that will be especially important in building a and countryside. The 12 million people a indoor climbing gyms, as part of the indoor resilient nation post-Covid. year accessing Wales’ National Parks and gymnasium sector, are a major gateway for spending an estimated one billion pounds participation in climbing, providing access 160,000 We ask for: on goods and services is testament for people of all abilities while also being a • financial support for social prescribing to this. Wales’ strengths as a visitor valuable social resource. Currently, there are over 1000 initiatives which can reduce the reliance on the destination lie not only in its natural qualified, employed climbing National Health Service; driven by cross-sector instructors and partnerships leaders resident in Wales, • increased support for appropriate and delivering Wales-based skills environmentally sensitive initiatives which and training courses to 160,000 enhance access to and enjoyment of adventures individuals per year in rural and urban environments • investment in opportunities for young people (Mountain Training Cymru) from the earliest age to enjoy frequent and progressive outdoor activity experiences £481,000,000 including via the curriculum for Wales The total estimated annual contribution of outdoor activity • Welsh Government to work with the BMC as tourism to the economy of Wales is approximately £481m; the national governing body for competitive that’s 6% or £1 in every £16.67 (1.02% of Wales’ GDP) of climbing, to nurture elite talent and further invest the total economic contribution of all tourism in Wales. in competitive climbing in Wales, recognising and supporting those inspired by the inclusion of climbing as an Olympic sport. (Miller Report, 2014) OUR PLEDGE 360,000 The British Mountaineering Council has over 75,000 members and more than 250 BMC There are 360,000 individual Affiliated Clubs. BMC Cymru represents visits to climbing walls in approximately 7,000 members and 18 affiliated Wales each year. clubs in Wales and protects the interests of the increasing number of people who enjoy quiet access to our Welsh coast and (Association of British Climbing Walls) countryside each year. Through our Wales access and conservation officer we have a strong track record of working in partnership with land owners and conservation bodies to ensure successful access management, where all parties recognise and respect the legitimate interests of others and where recreation and conservation benefit mutually. In 2021, we will build on this by employing a policy officer based in Cardiff to work on the full range of 1.2million issues affecting climbers, hill walkers and and are mountaineers in Wales. climbed by approximately We look forward to working with 1.2 million people a year. Welsh Government and its agencies in the future; working together to achieve a

(Based on data provided by thriving, active nation enjoying life-affirming Snowdonia National Park Authority and National Trust) adventures in Wales’ great outdoors.

For further information please contact the BMC’s Access & Conservation Officer for Wales [email protected]

REFERENCES NRW National Survey for Wales 2016-17 - Outdoor Recreation www.naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/national-survey-for-wales Millar 2014 (Economic Impact of Outdoor Activity Tourism in Wales for Welsh Government) www.outdoorrecreationni.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-Economic-Impact-of-Outdoor- Activity-Tourism-in-Wales-Visit-Wales-March-2014.pdf www.snowdonia.gov.wales/addysg-education/facts-and-figures www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/about-us/area-statements/sector-specific-information/area- statements-and-designated-landscapes