NEW local access forums were announced by Rural Affairs Minister, Alun Michael, on Wednesday.

They are part of the Government's drive to provide greater access to open countryside although he said safeguards would take into account the needs of land owners and managers - and wildlife.

The regulations laid before Parliament give local highway and national park authorities in England 12 months to establish local access forums under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

They will come into force on August 7 and highway and park authorities will have until August 8, 2003, to set up forums covering their area.

"The forums will provide a vital channel for local people to give their views and ideas on recreational potential in their areas," said Mr Michael.

"I want to encourage owners and managers of land, people using the new right of access and rights of way, and representatives of the local economy to join together in local access forums.

"They all have a crucial role to play in supporting the principle of all-round improvement of access to the countryside."

Local access forums will have a statutory duty to advise local authorities and countryside bodies on the improvement of public access to land in their area for the purpose of open-air recreation and enjoyment of the area.

Appointing authorities must ensure a reasonable balance on each forum between owners, managers and occupiers of land, and members representing the interests of users, such as walkers, riders, cyclists and carriage drivers