A Leicestershire MP is urging constituents getting their daily exercise when walking through local fields and countryside to ensure they follow the Countryside Code.
Dr Luke Evans, the Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, has called upon constituents to follow the code after being contacted by members of the local farming community and others concerned about litter. The borough has a large agricultural economy and it is important to ensure getting exercise doesn’t have a detrimental effect on farmers who rely on good husbandry for their livelihoods, as well as not spoiling the environment by dropping litter or leaving bags of dog waste when out and about.
Dr Luke said “For obvious reasons getting outdoor exercise is one of the few things that most of us are able to enjoy at the moment.
“In Hinckley and Bosworth we are really fortunate that many of us have beautiful countryside in walking distance of our homes, with some of the best marked trails in the country. We want it to stay that way!
“If you are out and about enjoying the countryside as part of your daily exercise please do remember to follow the Countryside Code. Our countryside is a vitally important part of our local economy but also environmentally, and right now it is important that we do all we can to help farmers by following the code, and clear up after ourselves when enjoying our green spaces.
“In particular it’s important that we stick to waymarked paths; that we don’t trample on crops; and that we don’t feed livestock which may well be on a specialised diet.”
The Countryside Code relies on the principles of ‘Respect – Protect – Enjoy’ and calls upon walkers and other countryside users to leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available, leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home, keep dogs under effective control especially around live stock, and follow advice and local signs.
The county council has a website with interactive maps showing you the marked routes and can be accessed: https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/walks/
The full code can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/countryside-code-full-online-version