After a long wait, the public consultation on Proposals to Improve Access to the English Coast was launched on Tuesday 19th June! David Turnbull (BMC Chief Executive) and Catherine Flitcroft (BMC Access & Conservation Officer) were attending the launch at the National Trusts White Cliffs of Dover Visitor Centre along with David Miliband (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and Barry Gardiner (Minister for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs).
David Miliband said: “We are an island nation. The coast is our birthright and everyone should be able to enjoy it. I want families to have safe and secure access to walk, climb, rock scramble, paddle and play all along our coastline."
The public consultation sets out four options for improving access to the coast. The BMC is supporting option four: "New legislation to allow Natural England to designate a coastal corridor providing a continuous route along which people can access to the coast"
Over the next few weeks the BMC will be responding to the consultation and will be organising a variety of publicity events to highlight the importance of our coastal areas and a permanent right of access to a coastal corridor.
The BMC has been campaigning to see a permanent right of access to a 'coastal corridor', which should extend from the mean low water mark to a point inland, and include areas such as beaches, foreshore and cliffs. BMC members can continue to support the campaign by writing to their local MPs by downloading a letter from the BMC campaigns section.
There is currently a lack of clarity and consistency in access arrangements along the coast of England and Wales. There are many areas that remain inaccessible and where public rights of way have been eroded, an incomplete coastal experience exists. Natural England have recently advised the Government that a coastal access corridor - including the foreshore and cliff face - could benefit those wishing to access the coast, as well as helping to protect biodiversity. David Miliband is also supporting this option.
Public access to the coast contributes to the health and well-being of the nation. Visiting the coast is an extremely popular pastime - even though the extent, security and quality of access is often poor. Improvements to access for all forms of informal, responsible recreation could add to the value of the coast as a tourist destination and an economic resource. Action to improve access to the coast should also be multi-beneficial and include measures to improve and help conserve biodiversity along the English coast and should be dynamic, responsive and allow for adaptation as our coastline changes.
The deadline for responses to the public consultation is 11 September 2007. Click here to view the public consultation.
« Back