This report is a supplement for England to the Wildlife and Access Advisory Group Guidance 2001 (Penny Anderson Associates, 2001).
It includes all research undertaken between 2001 and 2008 and should be used in tandem with the 2001 report. Together they are a collation of all available scientific research relating to the effects of access on foot on habitats and species up to 2008. All research up to 2008 into the effects of access by bicycle or on horseback is also included.
The aim is to provide a scientific tool to help identify the potential impacts of access to enable measures to be put in place to secure the reconciliation of both access and nature conservation objectives.
The findings are now being published so that they can be used by authorities responsible for implementing new access projects or managing existing access and assessing the likely effects.
The information is intended to contribute to decisions and judgements made as part of an overall assessment process, but may also be used by conservation organisations and land managers who are considering the need to apply for, or remove, statutory exclusions or restrictions.