Country walkers may pay for the privilege

CALLS to allow landowners charge walkers going onto their property are being rejected by the Government, for the moment at least.

But, with increasing numbers of people walking in the countryside, a question that must inevitably be faced is: should they pay landowners for the privilege of allowing them access?

We’ve seen many rows with farmers on the issue and they are likely to continue. Undoubtedly, the payment of cash would help ease tensions, help remove “no trespassing” signs and re-open many gates that have been locked for a long time. In other countries, there are ski passes which admit people onto certain lands for, say, a week. In Ireland, such money could be used to compensate landowners, could cover maintenance and insurance costs and leave something for further development of walkways. And, as always when money is an issue, there would be an incentive for communities to encourage more walkers to come, to open coffee shops, farmyards and other attractions.