AS an illustration of the law of inverse proportion - the impact of a measure falling far short of the effort put into it - few better examples are likely to arise than the Right To Roam.

Over the last half century, only the issue of hunting has been a longer-running sore in the countryside. Those opposed to the public enjoying a general right to wander on the unenclosed land to which the now imminent 'right' will chiefly apply, see a vision of hordes of the great unwashed, bobble hats and haversacks in place, stomping over trackless moor, to the detriment of its wildlife, particularly grouse.

In fact most walkers simply want to follow clear, unobstructed paths. With very few exceptions, anyone interested in doing more - turning off to inspect an earthwork, or perhaps to seek a quiet birdwatching vantage point - will cherish the landscape as much as those who farm it or own it. They wouldn't dream, for instance, of tramping across heather moor at nesting time.

In our North country, especially the moors and dales, most unfenced upland has long been open to walkers anyway. Here, the importance of the right to roam lies in its guarantee of this access, at present dependent on landowners' goodwill, for all time. And there are walkers, particularly visitors to the area, unaware that tracks on open moor not shown as rights of way can be walked. In future they will be able to use these with confidence.

It's true that this will take more people into wild country now visited only by those who know they are unlikely to be challenged. But the addition of these areas to those now in general use also means that walkers will be spread more thinly.

Ten years down the line people will wonder what all the fuss was about. There will be irony that the right to roam became a bone of contention only in cases like the current attempt by Madonna to exclude walkers from her estate in Wiltshire on the ground that their presence would threaten her "human right" to privacy - an issue that has never figured in the struggle for public access.

To their considerable credit, once the die was cast - New Labour offering this symbolic sop to Old Labour - most landowners have co-operated well in drawing up the appropriate maps. It is therefore perhaps unfortunate that the Ramblers' Association is planning a series of celebratory walks in the newly-opened landscapes. Besides smacking of triumphalism, this has overtones of that mass incursion the landowners have mistakenly feared.

When published, the new maps will soon be in the hands of keen walkers. Others will be led to new routes via guidebooks. The Ramblers' best greeting for the widened access would be to reinforce the message of respecting the countryside at all times and in all places. In particular it could urge that dogs, which undoubtedly disturb wildlife, are kept on leads at all times. "You roam but not your dog": this advice would seal the success of a precious new freedom.

NEVER seen an episode of Friends. Barely heard of it. Wouldn't know Jennifer Aniston if she entered the room. How have I got through the last ten years?