The Ramblers’ Association (RA) welcomes the new Draft Marine Bill as it contains key proposals to allow much greater access to the coast by foot.
Kate Ashbrook, RA Chairman said: “These long-awaited and much-needed proposals are warmly welcome. Improving the legal right to freely access our coastline and beaches will deliver huge benefits. Safe passage of this draft legislation is essential to ensure that this generation can, for the first time, walk around the English coast without hindrance.”
The proposals are based upon recommendations by Natural England for a coastal corridor that will enable the general public to walk in a continuous line all the way round the coast, an impossible feat at present. Currently access to the coast is patchy at best and many walking routes are diverted inland either because of coastal erosion or development. However, research commissioned by the Ramblers’ Association shows that 94% of those polled wanted better access to the coast.*
The Ramblers’ Association has campaigned for greater coastal access since it was formed and believes that anything less than national legislation would merely continue the present situation where the availability and quality of access along the coast varies considerably.
The Ramblers’ Association, wants the new open access coast to be broad allowing the public to enjoy the sense of freedom being at the coast brings while at the same time protecting privacy and enhancing biodiversity. The rights of access need to be flexible and capable of being realigned due to the effects of coastal erosion. The Ramblers’ Association will continue working to influence it’s safe passage through both Houses of Parliament and into law.
