The CRoW (Countryside and Rights of Way) Act 2000, places a duty on Highway Authorities (The Isle of Wight Council) and National Park Authorities to establish and administer an advisory body to be known as a Local Access Forum.

The Forum meet at least four times a year, usually in County Hall. Please see our meetings page for information about future meetings and previous minutes.

The Local Access Forum Dates for 2008 are

All meetings usually start at 14:00 and are held in County Hall, Newport.

The Local Access Forum will have the primary purpose of giving advice to The Isle of Wight Council and to the Countryside Agency on how to make the countryside more accessible and enjoyable for open air recreation. It will encourage and assist access provision, giving strategic advice on issues of particular local relevance. The Forum is expected to further improve liaison between interest groups and to establish and maintain links to other area Forums.