ON Sunday, the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill came into force, thus bursting with the sharp pin of reality the enormous bubbles of exaggerated nonsense generated by hysterical supporters and opponents of the so-called 'Right to Roam' legislation.

Only now that the Act is in force in the South-East and Lower North-West - which in a feat of geographical eccentricity only Whitehall bureaucrats dream up, includes Ilkley and Bradford - can we see the minimal effect it is going to have.

Farmers and other landowners may still fear the discovery of hordes of ramblers armed with brand new Countryside Agency maps tramping through their bedroom wardrobes, but such trepidation is ill-founded. Ramblers never wanted the right to invade the countryside, just the opportunity to appreciate it. And in this area, the main landowner, Bradford Council, already allows the complete freedom to roam around Ilkley Moor.

This does, sometimes, result in litter, damage, sheep worrying by dogs and other irresponsible behaviour but this is partly due to the area's popularity. For every ten thoughtful ramblers there is always one cretin - creating a plague in areas such as Ilkley Moor which is so accessible.

Areas of open land which come under the auspices of the new Bill are, by and large, remote and inaccessible to those not prepared to spend long hours walking in natural surroundings without artificial stimulants such as pop music, television, packets of crisps and cans of beer .

The result is that the type of person who will be exercising this new 'Right to Roam' will be unlikely to abuse it.

The countryside has created a diverse array of interests, many of which can be satisfied with a little thoughtfulness, understanding and respect. The Countryside and Rights of Way Bill should promote that instead of dividing us all into opposite camps.