Coastal Trail Would Boost Local Economies Claim

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.

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.