Hot and Dry Conditions: New Guidance for MA Members on Temporary CROW Access Restrictions
- Andrew Gilruth
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 4
Quick summary
Prolonged hot, dry weather is creating exceptional wildfire conditions across England and Wales.
Land managers may need temporary CROW access restrictions to reduce the risk of accidental ignition.
New MA guidance explains who to contact, who can request restrictions and what evidence to provide.
The prolonged hot and dry weather is creating exceptional wildfire conditions across many parts of England and Wales.
Recent moorland fires have demonstrated how quickly an ignition can develop into a major incident, placing lives, property, wildlife and important habitats at risk while adding further pressure to already stretched fire and rescue services.
Land managers know their ground and can often identify when vegetation, peat and other surface fuels have become exceptionally dry. Where land is subject to the public right of access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (the CROW Act) members may therefore need to consider whether a temporary restriction of that access is necessary to reduce the immediate risk of an accidental ignition.
The Moorland Association has produced new practical guidance in response to requests from members who have encountered uncertainty about how temporary restrictions on CROW access land operate in practice, who has the authority to impose them and how an urgent request should be made.
Although the legal powers are established under the CROW Act, members have reported that the practical process is not always clearly understood or consistently explained by the relevant authorities. This matters particularly during the present conditions, when the risk can increase rapidly and land managers need prompt, informed decisions.
The new guidance explains:
how to establish whether land is covered by the CROW Act
whether Natural England, a National Park Authority or the Forestry Commission should be contacted
who is entitled to make a request
what evidence and information should be provided
how to ask whether an existing fire-prevention direction can be activated, and
the important limitations relating to public rights of way and section 15 land.
Members should not wait for a fire to start before considering whether action is needed.
