A national coastal trail could bring massive economic
and social benefits to rural communities says the Ramblers
Association.
The body made the claims as part of its evidence to a
Parliamentary joint committee scrutinising the coastal access
provisions within the draft Marine Bill.
Anglesey Lighthouse by Richard Roworth
The RA is supporting government proposals to create a trail around
the whole of England's coastline under the bill and pushing for the
establishment of a protected coastal corridor with provisions for the
protection of wildlife biodiversity in the zone.
Tom Franklin, CEO of the RA told the committee: "The potential
social and economic benefits of a national coastal route to seaside
communities are huge.
"The South West Coast path brings over £307 million a year to
the region and is named as a major selling point by 73.3% of
accommodation providers. If these economic benefits were expanded
nationally, it would completely rejuvenate the social and economic
life of our coastal towns."
The RA has dismissed claims that the proposed coastal access will
widely threaten the privacy of private gardens and loss of property
values as scaremongering and points out that similar objections were
raised in the lead up to the passing of the Countryside and Rights of
Way Act, but have proved to be unfounded.
Metric Kate
