Coastal access bill & new National Park
Source: The Ramblers

Hundreds of miles of coastline will be permanently opened up to the public for the first time, with the landmark Marine and Coastal Access bill which today gained Royal assent.

The historic bill will create a continuous coastal path around England, allowing the public the right to walk the country’s entire coastline for the first time. This follows decades of campaigning by the Britain’s walking charity, the Ramblers.

Currently, nearly 50% of the English coast has no public right of way, and the public can only walk an average 1.9 miles on the coast on a ‘secure or satisfactory path’ (Natural England 2009). The path is expected to bring unprecedented access to millions and vitally boost the rural economy.

Following Royal Assent, the Ramblers campaign will focus on making the secondary legislation needed to turn the act into reality, working with its strong national workforce of volunteers to help Natural England create a National Trail which will be the envy of the world. They have produced a pack that will ‘myth-bust’ and provide answers to many frequently asked questions.

For more info on the bill visit: www.ramblers.org.uk/campaigns