The new access rights created by the Countryside and Rights of
Way (CROW) Act 2000 were launched in Suffolk on 31st October 2005.
From this date areas mapped as open access are available for open
air recreation on foot.
Suffolk County Council is the relevant authority to enable and
manage open access. The CROW Act provides the authority to make
bylaws, appoint wardens, erect and maintain notices and improve
means of access.
The areas mapped are either open country, which the act has
classified as mountain, moor, heath or down, or are registered
common land. In Suffolk the relevant land type is heath, which is
why the main areas of land are in the Brecks and on the coast where
the remaining heathland in the county is concentrated. There is
also open access land that has been dedicated by the landowner.
Because low lying heath is now a rare habitat many of these
sites are also Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and are
protected. If you are visiting open access land please be careful
not to disturb any of the wildlife. There are many ways to enjoy
access land such as taking a
walk, having a picnic or flying a
kite but please make sure that what you are doing is
appropriate for the site and will not cause any damage.
On many of the larger sites Suffolk County Council has provided
signs at the access points which give some information about open
access and include a map to help you find your way. All of the
sites which have exclusions or extended restrictions on them have
signs to show when the areas are open.
You may also see the open access symbol showing you where you can
go or the end of open access symbol marking the edge of the
site.
