Locals walkers are calling on all political parties to commit to a "transformational" new Access to Nature Bill.

Stag Walkers is a local walking group aimed mainly at people in their 20s and 30s, hosting walks across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and south Cambridgeshire every week.

The group is part of the Ramblers, the charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces, and to improving Britain's most popular and least-known walking places.

In the run up to the 2024 general election, the Ramblers is calling on all political parties to commit to a bill to break down barriers to the outdoors.

Stag Walkers has encouraged its members to contact their election candidates about this topic and invited those standing in the new Hitchin constituency to join them on a walk to discuss the issue.

On a recent evening walk to Ickleford the group were joined by Labour candidate Alistair Strathern who listened to the case for better access to nature.

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Stag Walkers group chair, Al Maceachern, said: "Our members are keenly aware of the health and wellbeing benefits of walking in the local countryside and how important it is to be able to access nature close to home.

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"It's vital that these benefits are made available to everyone across the country".

Labour Party candidate Alistair Strathern recently joined local Ramblers for a walk to hear more about the plans.

"We're lucky to have such fantastic nature on our doorstep, but we need to do more to improve access and to protect it," he said.

"It was great to speak to Stag Walkers about how Labour would lead the way on championing access to nature".

Conservative candidate for Hitchin, Bim Afolami, also responded: "Access to these special spaces would unquestionably be a priority for me as your Member of Parliament - I am a firm believer in the idea that as many people as possible should be able to access the countryside".

Local residents can visit the Ramblers' Outdoors Unlocked webpage for more information and guidance on contacting election candidates on this issue.