Increasing access for walkers
We have achieved access rights for walkers to 22% of Wales - over a million hectares of mountain, moor, heath, down, common and forestry land.
Our next step is to extend access to our beautiful coast. At present whilst 94% of people tell us they want a right of access to beaches, foreshore and cliffs (ICM May 2006) only 60% of the Welsh coast has secure access (Countryside Council for Wales 2006).
Ramblers Cymru aim is to achieve a coastal zone including beaches, the foreshore, cliffs and adjacent land. A presumption in favour of secure, responsible access would exist, and an access code be created. This would need new legislation. Our aim goes well beyond the path based approach to deliver comprehensive coastal access for the public.
To date the Assembly has announced a path based programme. We are pleased that Welsh Assembly Government has announced a coastal access improvement programme (9 June 2006) to create an All Wales coastal path, networks of paths round coastal communities and better access for cyclists, horse riders, people with disabilities and those using baby buggies. £1.5 million has been awarded to Welsh coastal local authorities for work in 2007/8. Consultation on what people would like to see will take place during 2007/8 and be led by each local authority.