Rhodri Morgan, First Minister for Wales, has praised Ordnance Survey for preparing new maps in time for the launch of new access opportunities in the Welsh countryside.
Speaking at this week’s Royal Welsh Show, he highlighted the national mapping agency’s extensive collaborative work with the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to ensure details were on a total of 37 OS Explorer Maps from day one.
The rights allow people to walk away from public footpaths on more than a fifth of the land area of Wales, including parts of the Berwyn and Black Mountains, the Preseli Hills, Hiraethog Moors and Plynlimon.
Ordnance Survey used the information from CCW to indicate the extent of access land with a light yellow tint and orange border to provide clarity and reassurance for walkers, landowners and farmers.
Mr Morgan said: “Ordnance Survey has worked extremely hard over the past year ensuring that the majority of the OS Explorer Maps were published on time for the main launch at the end of May of the new public rights of access to open country in Wales.
“The new rights of access to the superb Welsh countryside are of particular importance to Wales – and we need to ensure that the potential economic, social and health benefits are reaped for communities across Wales.
“Ordnance Survey maps complement the work done by the CCW with its excellent interactive access website. The CCW website gives up-to-date user-friendly information to help walkers plan their days out.”
At a special presentation on the CCW stand, Mr Morgan received a gift of all the revised maps from Steve Erskine, Ordnance Survey’s Director of Programmes and Products.
Mr Erskine said that Ordnance Survey’s work with CCW was part of a wider partnership with both government and business in Wales to deliver the benefits of geographic information.
“Ordnance Survey data is integral to many key activities of the Assembly Government such as health, education, sustainable development and transport planning,” he said. “Our work with CCW is a prime example of effective and efficient collaboration for the successful delivery of a key programme.”
Roger Thomas, Chief Executive of CCW, also attended the presentation. He said: “The new rights of access will mean nothing unless people know exactly where they can and can’t go. Walking can play an important part in boosting people’s health and well-being. We hope that more and more people will enjoy walking, with confidence, using the new maps to guide them through open access areas.”
A revised map legend explains that there are legal limitations to the new rights of access and gives details of how map users can check the status of a particular area of land before setting out.
OS Explorer Maps, priced at £7.49, are available through retailers and Ordnance Survey’s online map shop at www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/leisure.
The revised maps in Wales are: Brecon Beacons National Park – Western area/Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog – Ardal Gorllewinol (OL 12), Brecon Beacons National Park – Eastern Area/Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog – Ardal Ddwyreiniol (OL 13), Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa (OL 17), Harlech, Porthmadog & Bala (OL 18), Cadair Idris & Llyn Tegid (OL 23), North Pembrokshire/Gogledd Sir Benfro (OL 35), South Pembrokeshire/De Sir Benfro (OL 36), Cardiff & Bridgend/Caerdydd a Phen-y-bont ar Ogwr (151), Newport & Pontypool/Casnewydd a Phont-y-pŵl (152), Gower/Gŵyr (164), Swansea/ Abertawe (165), Rhondda & Merthyr Tydfil/Merthyr Tudful (166), Carmarthen & Kidwelly / Caerfyrddin a Chydweli (177), Llanelli & Ammanford/Rhydaman (178), Newcastle Emlyn/Castell Newydd Emlyn (185), Llandeilo & Brechfa Forest/Fforest Brechfa (186), Llandovery/Llanymddyfri (187), Builth Wells/Llanfair-ym-Muallt (188), Cardigan & New Quay/Aberteifi a Cheinewydd (198), Lampeter/Llanbedr Pont Steffan (199), Llandrindod Wells & Elan Valley/Llandrindod a Dyffryn Elan (200), Knighton & Presteigne/Tref-y-Clawdd a Llanandras (201), Aberystwyth & Cwm Rheidol (213), Llanidloes & Newtown/Y Drenewydd (214), Newtown & Machynlleth/Y Drenewydd & Machynlleth (215), Welshpool & Montgomery/Y Trallwng a Threfaldwyn (216), Lake Vyrnwy/Llyn Efyrnwy & Llanfyllin (239), Oswestry/Croesoswallt (240), Lleyn Peninsula West/Pen Llŷn Ardal Orllewinol (253), Lleyn Peninsula East/Pen Llŷn Ardal Ddwyreiniol (254), Llangollen & Berwyn (255), Wrexham/Wrecsam & Llangollen (256), Anglesey West/Gorllewin Ynys Môn (262), Anglesey East/Dwyrain Ynys Môn (263), Vale of Clwyd/Dyffryn Clwyd (264), Clwydian Range/Bryniau Clwyd (265), and Wirral & Chester/Caer (266).