Another Demos report, “Resilient Places: Character and community in everyday heritage” states that an “urban right to roam” would help people connect to the built environment and help create strong communities. The report outlines the ways in which the heritage infrastructure of urban areas played a vital role in shaping the way people thought about their communities. They also highlight the potential for this infrastructure – such as disused railway lines and historic canal routes – to revitalise the urban renaissance that has been badly hit by the recession.

Report co-author, Samuel Jones said: “The history of big societies is etched into the landscapes of Britain. Urban infrastructure, such as canals and old railway lines, is the foundation of strong, vibrant communities. But ordinary people won’t be able to really be part of this society without the access and freedom to make the communities their own.” The report recommends: strengthening planning policies to recognise the community value heritage infrastructure provides and encouraging temporary uses of heritage networks to minimise the risk associated with grand restoration projects.