The Marine and Coastal Access Bill is set to gain Royal Assent on the 12 November, this historic bill will create a continuous coastal path around England allowing the public the right to walk the country’s entire coastline for the first time.
This follows decades of campaigning by the Britain’s walking charity, the Ramblers.
What will this mean for the public and walkers?
What does the Marine and Coastal Access Bill do?
The bill puts in the place the building blocks (The Coastal Access Duty) to enable Natural England to put in place an all English Coastal Path with public open access land alongside.
How long will it take to establish the new coastal path?
Natural England aims to have created the new English Costal National Trail within 10 years.
But don’t we already have costal paths?
Some areas, like the South West were its taken 40 years to put in place the South West Coast Path, have great costal access already but many do not. As part of it's work on the bill Natural England carried out of audit of access and found that around a thousand miles of new paths will be needed to create a continuous route around England’s coast.
| Region | Total length of coast | Current secure access |
| North West | 421 miles | 44% |
| North East | 183 miles | 67% |
| Yorkshire and Humber | 174 miles | 70% |
| East Midlands | 98 miles | 61% |
| East of England | 534 miles | 68& |
| South East | 569 miles | 63% |
| South West | 768 miles | 76% |
More information can be found on Natural England's web-site
How much will it cost to implement Coastal Access?
Natural England estimates that it will cost £50 million over 10 years to implement. This would cover initial establishment costs, and the maintenance of the new path for the first 10 years.
Won’t this new path threaten wildlife conservation?
Natural England has a statutory duty to conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations so it will be looking to avoid any negative impacts in the way the trail is aligned and managed. Full environmental assessments will be done on all sensitive sites so any restrictions on access, such as keeping dogs on leads, will be put in place from day one.
How will the exact route of the path be decided?
Where there is an existing route along the coast which meets Natural England’s selection criteria for the trail, the trail will adopt that route. But where there is none, or where an existing route is unsatisfactory, a new or improved route will be provided. This test applies equally to existing public rights of way and National Trails as to other routes.
Doesn’t the coast erode? Won’t the path disappear?Some sections of coastline are eroding rapidly, year on year. It would often be impracticable for the trail to follow a fixed route in these places so the path will automatically “rolling back” with any future erosion. What does this mean for people who live on the coast - won't it ruin their privacy?
No, the path and spreading room will not in peoples gardens and all curtledge of private property (e.g. up to the edge of a private garden) will also be “excepted land” mean that no new paths can be created close to private property. Counter to what some groups have been saying no one will be walking past peoples' kitchen windows!
What about parks will they also be exempt?
Yes they will, but Natural England will be looking to make agreements with landowners to get the path as close to the sea as possible. If they fail the government have promised to look again at park land in few years time.
Will dogs be allowed to use the new Coastal Trail?
Yes. Normally people will be allowed to bring dogs provided they keep them under “effective control at all times” but in some areas restrictions will be put in place so that land management and wildlife needs are protected.
Can I take my bike or ride my horse on the new path?
The Bill will enable more people to enjoy the coast on foot. It will not be practicable on the coast to give the same right of access to horse riders or cyclists, but Natural England will be looking to identify places that do offer opportunities for cycling or horse riding as well as walking.
How will the coastal access corridor be marked on the ground?
Signs and access infrastructure will enhance the overall convenience of the trail once its route has been confirmed. They should meet the same quality standards as on other national trails, so helping people to enjoy the trail with confidence and certainty.
What next?
Some secondary legislation and Natural England’s Costal Access Scheme, the detail of who it will work locally to implement the bill, need to be approved by MPs and the Secretary of State before they start talking to local authorities and landowners.
