“As Britain's leading walking charity, the Ramblers' Association welcomes the Government response to pre-legislative scrutiny and public consultation of the Marine Bill particularly the positive provisions supporting greater coastal access. As key stakeholders in the consultation process, the Ramblers gave evidence to both scrutiny committees and we are pleased that Government has accepted our arguments to allow greater public access to the coast.
On behalf of both our 137,000 members and the wider public, we believe that the Governments endorsement of greater coastal access is logical, timely and benefits walkers, landowners and farmers alike. Similarly, the conclusions of the EFRA Committee’s own report confirming the solid economic, health and social benefits from more people visiting, and enjoying, the coast echoed our own findings.
The Ramblers’ Association hopes the special considerations which Natural England may be obliged to make in respect of provisions for coastal access at estuaries will not compromise the spirit or letter of enhancing coastal access for all.
We are pleased that the Government has decided that a formal appeals process is not appropriate since a fair balance will be struck between the rights of the public and those of landowners, partly because the necessary safeguards to ensure balance already exist in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
We agree with Government’s view that the framework of the draft Bill is flexible enough to avoid situations where access rights result in significant financial loss. In respect of coastal parks and gardens, the Government is right to state that further parliamentary discussion and consideration will be needed and we will play a full part in those discussions.
Finally, on the question of funding and long term maintenance of coastal paths and spreading room, the Ramblers approves of the Government’s recommendation that after 10 years, Natural England should contribute funding”.
