Right to Roam Activists Stage Mass Trespass in Andy Burnham's Wigan Constituency

A group of Right to Roam activists engaged in a mass trespass on a private estate in Wigan, Greater Manchester, demanding an extension of public access rights across England. The demonstration saw campaigners walk onto privately-owned land near the village of Aspull, situated within the constituency represented by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Campaigners advocate for a reform of England's current access laws, which grant the public legal access only to approximately 8% of the country's land and 3% of its rivers. They highlight the disparity with Scotland, where the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 permits a more comprehensive right of responsible access to most land and inland water.

The organisers stated their intent to draw attention to what they view as restrictive land access in England. They are pressing for legislative changes that would enable greater public enjoyment of natural landscapes, echoing similar campaigns historically mounted for access to areas like the Peak District.