http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37/section/94/2016-05-21Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000An Act to make new provision for public access to the countryside; to amend the law relating to public rights of way; to enable traffic regulation orders to be made for the purpose of conserving an area’s natural beauty; to make provision with respect to the driving of mechanically propelled vehicles elsewhere than on roads; to amend the law relating to nature conservation and the protection of wildlife; to make further provision with respect to areas of outstanding natural beauty; and for connected purposes.2000-12-07texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-03-18Expert Participation2016-05-21 Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000s. 55ADeregulation Act 2015s. 20s. 115(7)Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000s. 56ADeregulation Act 2015s. 21s. 115(7)Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000s. 56BDeregulation Act 2015s. 22(1)s. 115(7)Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000Blanket amendmentThe Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011art. 3 4art. 3(2)art. 3(3) 4(2) 6(4)(5)art. 2 Part V941The appointing authority for any area shall in accordance with regulations establish for that area, or for each part of it, an advisory body to be known as a local access forum.2For the purposes of this section—athe local highway authority is the appointing authority for their area, except any part of it in a National Park, andbthe National Park authority for a National Park is the appointing authority for the National Park.3A local access forum consists of members appointed by the appointing authority in accordance with regulations.4It is the function of a local access forum, as respects the area for which it is established, to advise—athe appointing authority,bany body exercising functions under Part I in relation to land in that area,cif the appointing authority is a National Park authority, the local highway authority for any part of that area, anddsuch other bodies as may be prescribed,as to the improvement of public access to land in that area for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area, and as to such other matters as may be prescribed.5The bodies mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (4) shall have regard, in carrying out their functions, to any relevant advice given to them by a local access forum under that subsection or any other provision of this Act.6In carrying out its functions, a local access forum shall have regard to—athe needs of land management,bthe desirability of conserving the natural beauty of the area for which it is established, including the flora, fauna and geological and physiographical features of the area, andcguidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State (as respects England) or the National Assembly for Wales (as respects Wales).7Subsection (1) does not apply to the council of a London borough or to any part of their area unless the council so resolve.8The Secretary of State, as respects England, or the National Assembly for Wales, as respects Wales, if satisfied that no local access forum is required for any area or part of any area, may direct that subsection (1) is not to apply in relation to that area or part.9Before giving a direction under subsection (8) as respects an area or part of an area, the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales must consult the appointing authority for the area and the appropriate countryside body.10In this section—“appropriate countryside body” has the same meaning as in Part I;“local highway authority” has the same meaning as in the 1980 Act;“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations;“regulations” means regulations made, as respects England, by the Secretary of State, and, as respects Wales, by the National Assembly for Wales.S. 94(2)(b) excluded (24.3.2005) by New Forest National Park Authority (Establishment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/421), art. 1, Sch. 4 para. 3