The Ramblers’ Association (RA) today welcomed the findings of the Draft Marine Bill Joint Committee report into provisions for coastal access.
The Joint Committee was set up as the only truly independent committee of MPs and Lords to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill. As such, the findings in its report Draft Marine Bill cannot be ignored by government.
The RA gave oral evidence to the committee in mid-June and has campaigned extensively for the benefits that continuous coastal access around the English coastline would bring both to the general public and rural businesses alike.
Currently, access to the English coast is lamentable, with one third of the entire coastline out of bounds. This means that, on average, it is not possible to walk for longer than an hour anywhere on the English coast without encountering an obstacle, obstruction or area of poor access.
Commenting on the committee’s work, Tom Franklin, RA Chief Executive said: “The committee has done a good job, looking at the benefits greater public access will bring coastal communities and the wider rural economy, as well as looking at the concerns of landowners and farmers.”
Tom continued: “Crucially, the committee has asked the government to look again at the issue of parks and gardens in order to distinguish between small private gardens, which should be exempt, and large areas of coastal estates and countryside which can accommodate greater access without infringing on privacy.”
As well as welcoming the provisions in the draft Bill for an all-England coastal route, the committee also supported the inclusion of 'spreading room' to allow the public to explore areas away from the path:
“We welcome the principle of increased access to the coast and that of the ‘spreading room’ for outdoor, coastal recreation” (page 89).
Regarding parks and gardens, some members of the committee thought the proposed exemption too wide and have asked the government to reconsider this important issue:
“the government should give careful thought to what is included in the ‘parks and gardens’ exemption” (page 90).
The committee has also asked that the government consider an independent appeals process. On this issue, the RA acknowledges the committee's work on recommending a robust local consultation process before any newly accessible land is opened for the public. However, the Ramblers do not think a formal appeals process will benefit landowners as the final decision will be taken by the Secretary of State after the appeal making any appeal by landowners null and void.
