England's coastal path: the journey begins
26 March 2010
• Natural England publishes methodology for developing all England coastal path
• Government approval of Coastal Access Scheme means implementation of route can now begin
The way in which the all England coast path will be created was announced today by Natural England as it published its Coastal Access Scheme. The Scheme has now been approved by government meaning that work to implement the coastal path can now begin in earnest.
Poul Christensen, Chair of Natural England, said: “The publication of this Scheme is an important step in making clear, secure and consistent coastal access a reality for England. The Scheme explains the procedures and criteria we will use to align the route and associated ‘spreading room’, and the ways in which access will be managed to minimise conflicts with other land uses. It is the blueprint that will be used at each leg of the journey, as we develop an all-England coast path stretch by stretch around the country.”
Under the 2009 Marine and Coastal Access Act, Natural England has a statutory duty to improve access to the English coast through the creation of a continuous long-distance walking route around the coast and a margin of accessible land alongside it. The Act also requires Natural England to publish a coastal access “Scheme” setting out the approach it will take when doing this. It is this Scheme - along with the results of the three month consultation about its content - that are being published today.
The final, approved Scheme outlines some of the ground rules for the new coastal path. It details, among other things, how the route will be aligned; what approach will be taken on estuaries; how the 4m wide trail will be accommodated alongside other land uses; and the sort of areas (such as beaches, dunes and headlands) that are likely to be treated as “spreading room” where people can rest, relax and enjoy a picnic en route. Importantly, the concept of “walking the course” – where landowners and other stakeholders are invited to discuss where the route and spreading room should be – is central to the approach being taken, as is wider consultation with other interests about their aspirations for each stretch of coast.
Formal approval of the Scheme from the Secretary of State means that it is now possible to begin work on implementing the first stages of the coastal path – these are planned on a stretch of coast at Weymouth, in order to have the new rights in place there in time for the 2012 Olympics. Implementation is then due to start in 2011 in 5 other areas – Cumbria, East Riding, Kent, Norfolk and Somerset.
Development of Natural England’s Scheme has been informed by extensive research, field testing and discussion with key stakeholders over the last couple of years. Approval of the Scheme follows a full public consultation that took place between November 2009 and February 2010 and two earlier Scheme versions published in 2008.
During this period, Natural England also conducted an extensive audit of the extent of coastal access in England and found that about a third of the English coastline has no legally secure, satisfactory path. The audit also highlighted the crucial importance of coastal change on the coast, estimating that without the new programme a further 13% of existing coastal paths would be lost to erosion over the next 20 years under current erosion forecasts.
Poul Christensen concluded: “This country has one of the finest coastlines in the world but access to it is currently a lottery, with many sections lacking a secure, satisfactory path. We can now begin the work on the ground to address this and sort out, once and for all the piecemeal, stop-go nature of coastal access. In all senses, the Scheme we are announcing today is a historic step towards better and clearer access along our coast.”
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
Coastal Access Scheme
Copies of the Coastal Access Scheme are available at: http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/NE269
Copies of the Summary Report on the Consultation Scheme consultation are available at: http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/NE268
About the scheme:
Natural England is required to “prepare a scheme setting out the approach it will take when discharging the coastal access duty” under clause 298(1) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The Scheme explains how the coastal access provisions set out in the Act will operate on the ground and within this context, how Natural England will reach a conclusion as to how the long-distance route and the boundary of the coastal margin will be aligned on a particular section of the coast. It describes the overall process that Natural England will follow in reaching these conclusions, including the steps that will be taken to consult with all those with a relevant interest in affected land as well as stakeholders and other interested parties. The Scheme sets out the criteria that will be used to ensure that in reaching these conclusions a “fair balance” is struck between public and private interests on the coast, including how we ensure that we take full account of the need to protect the natural environment. The Scheme includes considerable detail on how this will apply in a wide variety of situations, both in terms of the type of land and the use of it. The Scheme also explains how we will deal with the special considerations we need to give at estuaries and also provides some illustrative examples.
Coastal Access Audit
More information about coastal access and copies of Natural England’s coastal access audit report and maps.
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.
We run England’s Environmental Stewardship green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953/ press@naturalengland.org.uk / out of hours 07970 098 005 / www.naturalengland.org.uk
