Natural England Commissioned Report NECR013 Scientific research into the effects of access on nature conservation: Part 2: access on bicycle and horseback First published 17 June 2009 www.gov.uk/natural-england Introduction Natural England commission a range of reports from external contractors to provide evidence and advice to assist us in delivering our duties. The views in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Natural England. Background This report is a supplement for England to the overall assessment process, but may also be Wildlife and Access Advisory Group Guidance used by conservation organisations and land 2001 (Penny Anderson Associates, 2001). managers who are considering the need to apply for, or remove, statutory exclusions or It includes all research undertaken between restrictions. 2001 and 2008 and should be used in tandem with the 2001 report. Together they are a The information is also relevant to organisations collation of all available scientific research and people managing access on land which is relating to the effects of access on foot on subject to: habitats and species up to 2008. All research up to 2008 into the effects of access by bicycle or • A statutory right of access. on horseback is also included. • A right of access under an access agreement. • Existing de facto access. The aim is to provide a scientific tool to help identify the potential impacts of access to enable By identifying and protecting sensitive features measures to be put in place to secure the from the effects of human interference, people’s reconciliation of both access and nature access to the natural environment can be conservation objectives. promoted with the confidence that it is only being limited on nature conservation grounds The findings are now being published so that where this is shown to be necessary. As such it they can be used by authorities responsible for will help Natural England deliver our policy on implementing new access projects or managing Inspiring People to Value and Conserve the existing access and assessing the likely effects. Natural Environment through access to places where they can enjoy a high quality natural The information is intended to contribute to environment. decisions and judgements made as part of an Natural England Project Manager - Joanna Ramsay, Natural England, 1 East Parade, Sheffield, S1 2ET Contractor - Footprint Ecology, First Floor, Ryan House, Sandford Lane, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4DY Keywords - access, recreation, appropriate assessment, nature conservation, wildlife Further information This report can be downloaded from the Natural England website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england. For information on Natural England publications contact the Natural England Enquiry Service on 0845 600 3078 or e-mail [email protected]. This publication is published by Natural England under the Open Government Licence v3.0 for public sector information. You are encouraged to use, and reuse, information subject to certain conditions. For details of the licence visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3. Please note: Natural England photographs are only available for non-commercial purposes. For information regarding the use of maps or data visit www.gov.uk/how-to-access-natural-englands-maps-and-data. ISBN 978-1-78354-208-6 © Natural England and other parties 2015 SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INTO THE EFFECTS OF ACCESS ON NATURE CONSERVATION: PART 2: ACCESS ON BICYCLE AND HORSEBACK Natural England Contract No. NPR06/01/003 James Lowen, Durwyn Liley, John Underhill-Day and Andrew Whitehouse 1 Date: 5th December 2008 Version: Final (Original produced August 08, amended December 08) Recommended Citation: Lowen, J., Liley, D., Underhill-Day, J. & Whitehouse, A. (2008). Scientific research into the effects of access on nature conservation: Part 2: access on bicycle and horseback. Unpublished report by Footprint Ecology. Commissioned by Natural England. 2 This report is a collation of available scientific research into the effects of access on nature conservation. The purpose of this report is to provide a scientific tool to help identify potential impacts of access and to enable measures to be put in place to secure the reconciliation of both access and nature conservation objectives. It will ensure sensitive features are identified and protected from the effects of human interference, so that people’s enjoyment of the natural environment can be promoted with the confidence that it is only being limited on nature conservation grounds where this is shown to be necessary. As such it will help Natural England deliver its policy on Inspiring People to Value and Conserve the Natural Environment through access to places where they can enjoy a high quality natural environment. This report is a supplement for England to the Wildlife and Access Advisory Group Guidance 2001 (Penny Anderson Associates, 2001). This report includes all research undertaken between 2001 and 2008 and should be used in tandem with the 2001 report. Together they are a collation of all available scientific research relating to the effects of access on foot on habitats and species up to 2008. All research up to 2008 into the effects of access by bicycle or on horseback is also included. The Wildlife and Access Advisory Group (WAAG) Guidance was produced in 2001 by English Nature (now Natural England) and the Countryside Council for Wales, with endorsement from the Countryside Agency, RSPB and others in response to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It was used successfully to undertake appropriate assessments throughout the implementation of CRoW open access in England and Wales. The research summarised in this report may be used by Relevant Authorities1 and others in conjunction with knowledge of local circumstances including likely levels of use and a detailed knowledge of local conditions. It is intended to contribute to decisions and judgements which are made on a site by site basis as part of the overall assessment process. This report aims to ensure that any action to control or manage access is based on a scientifically reasoned argument, drawing on available knowledge. It provides a consistent approach when utilised in different areas or counties. The Guidance may also be used by: • Conservation Organisations and land managers considering whether there may be a case for statutory exclusions or restrictions under relevant legislation, or for the need for action to circumvent such exclusions or restrictions, and • Any organisation or person considering the need to manage access on land which is subject to: • A statutory right of access including those granted under enactments such as the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, the Law of Property Act 1925, the Commons Act 1899, or local or private Acts. • A right of access under an access agreement (eg. Pt V of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949). • Existing de facto access. The Guidance does not provide prescriptive solutions to perceived problems, but identifies those circumstances where nature conservation interests may trigger consideration of appropriate action on sites. The nature of that action, including whether it will require any statutory exclusion or restriction, can only be determined by analysis at the site level. The scope of this Guidance is on direct nature conservation implications arising from access. There may be indirect effects linked to a statutory right of access, such as risks associated with fire or safety hazards, but these are not covered in detail in this Guidance. The main authors are Footprint Ecology’s James Lowen, Durwyn Liley, John Underhill-Day and Andrew Whitehouse of Buglife. 1 Relevant authorities are responsible for administering restrictions on CRoW access land 3 Natural England's viewpoint This Guidance has a wide application across all access projects in Natural England, but is specifically relevant to the need for appropriate assessments in relation to access on Natura 2000 sites. 4 Summary This report updates original guidance on the nature conservation impacts of access that was published in 2001. This original guidance focused on access on foot only and focused on the habitats associated with the access element of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act (2000). This update is broader in scope than the original and encompasses a wider range of habitats (a range that now includes the full suite of coastal habitats) and also access by bicycle and on horse back. New chapters added to this report include saline lagoons, coastal grazing marsh, rocky shores, seals and a generic chapter on the impacts of cycling and horse riding. We have attempted to retain the headings and style used in the original document, and it is intended that the two documents are used in tandem. As in the original, this report contains sections on habitats, species groups. Used together it is intended that these two documents provide a comprehensive overview of the potential nature conservation implications of recreational access to the English countryside. 5 Contents Summary.................................................................................................................................................................5 Contents..................................................................................................................................................................6 Acknowledgments ...............................................................................................................................................