Local Access Forums

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) placed a statutory duty on every highway authority (unitary authorities in Wales) and National Park authority to set up and maintain a Local Access Forum (LAF) in its area. As of 2026, twenty-three LAFs are set up in Wales to advise local authorities, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Welsh Government about recreational access developments, including specified matters to do with CRoW open access land. NRW staff may attend LAF meetings as observers.

Land management issues

In providing their access advice, LAFs also consider important issues related to land management and the need to conserve the natural beauty of their area.

Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, a forum must consist of members who represent:

users of local CRoW access land and local rights of way
owners and occupiers of access land and land with rights of way
other interests especially relevant to the area.

LAF meetings

LAF meetings are generally advertised on the relevant authority’s website.

Most LAFs meet several times a year. Some forums also have topic groups which meet regularly.

Members of the public can attend meetings as an observer, but only LAF members can participate in the discussions. There may be an opportunity after the meetings for non-members to ask questions.

National representation

The local access forums in Wales maintain contact with each other through LAF Chairs' meetings - either online or in person. They also elect a National Representative and a Deputy National Representative whose roles are to represent the LAFs at appropriate events, forums and meetings, such as the National Access Forum for Wales.