Text messaging signals new era for RPA

RPA is offering land managers and owners a choice of ways to confirm the new maps being sent to farmers across England are correct - including the opportunity to send a simple text message.

The mapping update has just begun and will affect approximately 120,000 farmers across England, all of whom will receive new maps over the next few months.

RPA ran a customer pilot involving approximately 1000 farmers. It was carried out to clarify what customer support would be required and to establish the easiest and quickest way for farmers to respond.

RPA’s Customer Director, Caroline Fawcett says:

“The pilot has given us extremely valuable customer feedback which we have used to try to improve the experience of all farmers as we send out their new maps. We’ve used the comments from those in the pilot to make the mapping update as smooth as possible for farmers.

“We are asking farmers to reply within 28 days and that’s why we’re offering them a number of ways to respond.”

Farmers’ feedback from the pilot was used to improve the information and the processes for agreeing maps this summer.

Other ways of responding are by post, fax, email and an automated telephone number. A dedicated helpline is also available through RPA’s Customer Service Centre to help customers with any queries regarding their new maps.

Tony Cooper, RPA’s Chief Executive says: “The mapping update is a major undertaking for the Agency and an opportunity for all farmers in England to obtain updated maps for their land.

“The new information will enable RPA to provide clearer, more accurate maps for farmers and, when agreed, will help us process claims more quickly.”

Natural England and the Forestry Commission will also use the new mapping information for all land-based schemes, agreements and inspections from 1 January 2010.


Notes to editors:

1. The new maps combine aerial photography with updated Ordnance Survey information, and so provide clearer, more accurate information than the current RLR maps which are based on Ordnance Survey 2001 data.
2. The first batch of maps were mailed on 22 May with more following on a week by week basis until mid-September.
3. Farmers who have queries for the Customer Service Centre are advised to call 0845 603 7777 and select the option for ‘Rural Land Register’.
4. RPA is an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), providing a range of key services in support of the department’s objectives, including making rural payments, carrying out rural inspections, and livestock tracing.
5. Media only contact: Caroline Forcer, press officer, 0118 968 7680