WALKERS have been able to enjoy new areas of the countryside sincelast weekend.

From Sunday, the new Countryside and Rights of Way Act gave the public rights of access to some 3,692 hectares of open country in the district.

These areas include Morton and Bingley Moors above Airedale, Addingham Moor, Stanbury Moor near Haworth, Oxenhope Moor, Thornton Moor and parts of Keighley Moor.

With the help of grants from the Countryside Agency, Bradford Council's countryside and rights of way service has been busy putting up signs on the edges of these areas so that walkers will know when the open country begins.

So far, more than 90 signs are in place, with more markers and signs to follow. The information on the signs informs walkers about the land and also asks people to help protect sensitive habitats and control their dogs.

Ilkley district councillor Anne Hawkesworth, head of environment at Bradford Council, said: "We have some wonderful areas of moorland in the Bradford district and I am pleased large parts of them will now be accessible for people to enjoy.

"Countryside officers have worked hard in preparing information and signs before the start of the new rights of access come into force.

"It is important that these new open areas are enjoyed and at the same time the rights and activities of landowners, farmers and land managers are respected."

Coun Hawkesworth urged walkers to act responsibly when exercising their new rights and said she did not approve of the rights of landowners being adversely affected by the new legislation.

"The right to roam should not interfere with the right to own," said Coun Hawkesworth.

Ilkley Moor itself is common land owned by Bradford Council and walkers have enjoyed full rights of access for many years.

Farmers have been particularly worried about walkers in newly opened areas letting their dogs off leads to worry sheep and cause other nuisance.

There are also issues with people damaging land with trials motor cycles and four-wheel drive vehicles. Recently motor cycle riders have been seen pulling down stone walls to gain access to further paths on Addingham Moorside.

But for many walkers, the new legislation will not make a great deal of difference to their recreational rambles. Dennis Taylor, of the Ilkley Evergreens walking group said that members almost always used public footpaths.

Mr Taylor said: "I don't think it will make a great deal of difference - we already have more than 100 walks established. We might do a little bit of investigating but I don't think it will make a big difference."

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act creates a new legal right of access on foot to areas of open, uncultivated countryside allowing walkers to explore away from paths on approximately four million acres of mountain, moor, heath, down, and common land in England and Wales.

It includes safeguards to protect the environment and landowners' interests and will not allow people to walk through private gardens or over crops.

Anyone wanting further information about access areas should check the Countryside Agency web site on (www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk) or contact the council's countryside and rights of way service on 01274 432666.