The Trimble – the handy device that will help CCW review countryside access maps...

Ten years on….and the work of updating the maps of open access land reminds us just how much new technology is changing the way we work.

The Trimble, photo ©CCW

Ten years ago, officers from the Countryside Council for Wales surveyed the length and breadth of Wales’ mountain, moor, heath and common land to mark up, on OS maps, the areas which would be open to walkers.

From 16th July, the process of updating these maps will start. Gone are the paper maps and coloured pens, to be replaced by GPS Trimbles.

A bespoke programme for mapping open access land has been developed by CCW and uploaded onto the hand held mapping devices, giving CCW staff the ability to refine or amend the open access maps at a push of a button.

Now, there is no need to transfer information from paper records to a central system – it’s done direct from the Trimble. It all means that the review can be done as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.

Richard Owen, who is managing the review of open access maps, said. “The maps produced 10 years ago were comprehensive and done to a very high standard. Thanks to new technology, as well as the quality of the original mapping work, the review can be undertaken efficiently, with minimum cost.”

The open access review will start on 16th July 2012, when CCW will issue the draft maps of open country and registered common land. Based on these, landowners and anyone with an interest can make representations. If these representations are sound, CCW officers will map out the changes on the Trimbles.

Discussions with landowners and all interest groups will, of course, be an essential part of the mapping review. Staff managing the review will be working on the Countryside Council for Wales’ stand at the Royal Welsh Show to discuss the review with anyone interested.

Richard Owen added: “The 10 year review is required by law. Because of the quality of the original mapping work, we don’t envisage that it will result in dramatic changes – but subtle changes are anticipated, for example if there have been changes in land use or if boundaries need modifying.

“We will be more than happy to discuss issues face to face with landowners and visit land. There will also be opportunities to discuss the review with everyone interested - for example at agricultural shows and other events, held soon after the draft maps are published,” he added.

For more information visit www.ccw.gov.uk/openaccessmapping. General enquiries on the review should be sent to: 0845 1306229 or email openaccessmapping@ccw.gov.uk

The Review Timetable:

16th July 2012
CCW will issue All Wales draft maps of open access. This is the opening date for representations to be submitted to CCW.

23rd November 2012
Closing date for representation submitted to CCW.

7th August 2013
CCW will issue All Wales provisional maps.

7th November 2013
Deadline for appeals applications to the Planning Inspectorate.

9th May 2014
Appeals process ends.

24th September 2014
CCW will issue All Wales conclusive map.

Ends.

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information contact CCW Press Officers Helen Evans, 01248 387377 / 07717225589, or Brân Devey on 02920 77 2403 / 07747767443

The Countryside Council for Wales is a Welsh Government Sponsored Body, working for a better Wales where everyone values and cares for our natural environment www.ccw.gov.uk.