Events could be taking an upturn for coastal walkers and sea cliff climbers who are plagued by access issues, following the publication last week of a draft Marine Bill.
The Bill tackles access - or lack of it - to the foreshore, cliffs and a strip of land around the coast, which the BMC believes should all be open for recreational activities like walking.
The English Coastal Route
Down-at-mouth walkers will be pleased to know that the draft legislation includes proposals for an English Coastal Route - a continuous long-distance footpath linking up Dorset's ammonites with Cornwall's coves, and Dover's white cliffs with Filey's brigg, and everything else in between.
Natural England will face the task of proposing the route after consultations with local stakeholders, and a closer look at all the nooks, crannies and 'trespassers will be prosecuted' signs along the way:-). They will also be able to 'roll back' the path if erosion pitches the initial route into the waves.
Wider access for walkers and climbers
If that sounds like progress, you'll be pleased to know that the Bill also earmarks an area of land for open-air recreation - in other words, for the passage of your muddy boots - stretching from the coast inland to 'an appropriate physical boundary'. That's a cliff, rock, sand dune, or something else that's big and gets in the way, which is rather a vague way of putting it, but details have yet to be confirmed.
Access will still be restricted in some areas if there's a particularly rare plant or a rather fine breeding ground for birds that got there first. 'Land management' is also a factor that could keep walkers out. Having said that, the BMC has welcomed the draft Bill as it could still make a big improvement to the Saturday afternoons of coast-bound walkers. Bear in mind that at the moment we only have access to one third of the country's coastline.
Where do we go from here?
Parliament will now be able to debate the Bill and make any amendments before it - touch wood - becomes law. The BMC has until the end of June to submit its comments.
What about Wales?
If you live west of the border, you shouldn't miss out. The Welsh Assembly is working with Defra at the moment to make sure that similar changes take place around the Welsh Coast. They have also begun working with CCW to create the All Wales Coastal Path, so once you've been to Filey Brigg and Dover you can make your way along the Bristol Channel and across the Menai Straits too - or the other way round, of course.
More information
Further details are available from the BMC or you can go straight to the Defra website, bearing in mind that the Bill covers other aspects of Marine life, like fisheries, so you might have to wade past the odd cod or mackerel to find what you're looking for.
The BMC also has a Coastal Access Database where you can check for any changes to access agreements on your local coast.
Mike Taylor 3
