Legal Right of Access to our Coast

Legal Right of Access to our Coast

Last week the government confirmed that it would legislate to give a legal right of access to the English coastline. This was a very welcome announcement at the Labour Party Conference and followed strong lobbying by Natural England, the Ramblers Association and many others.

The public consultation period only ended on 11 September (see earlier post) so this was an unexpectedly quick decision from the government and no doubt the timing of the conference had a helping hand in this. Whatever the reason though, this is very welcome news for anyone that gets real pleasure from our varied and dramatic coastline.

Read more at The Government Backs Coastal Access

Today's coastal pub walk: Sailor's Return in East Chaldon, Dorset.

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Coastal Access - Public Consultation Ends

Coastal Access - Public Consultation Ends

11 September marks the end of the public consultation period of proposals to open up an uninterrupted public access corridor around the English coast. I last wrote about this in June in my post Coastal Access - Right to Roam our English Coastline when the consultation process began.

According to The Ramblers Association, 94% of the English public support the wide-ranging proposals presented to the government by Natural England. Let's all just hope now that the government has been listening.

Read more at Coastal Access and the right to roam our English coastline
See update...

Today's Pub Walk: The George Inn in Middlezoy, Somerset.

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Natural England Welcomes Return of Goss Moor to the Wild

Natural England welcomes return of Goss Moor to the wild

Last week saw the first occasion when a major trunk road was diverted around a conservation area. It was great news for all those interested in preserving our countryside and natural habitats.

The A30 has been redirected away from Goss Moor, a European Special Area of Conservation and one of the largest areas of wetlands on the south west peninsula. Goss Moor National Nature Reserve in Cornwall has an abundance of rare wildlife such as dormice and adders with this time of year also being an excellent time to visit and see the dragonflies, flowers and heathland.

For more information , click on Goss Moor.

Today's pub walk: The Filly Inn (Walk 2) in the New Forest, Hants.

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Coastal Access - Right to Roam our Coastline

Coastal Access - Right to Roam our English Coastline

Yesterday saw the start of the public consultation over coastal access. The question is whether the right to roam should be extended to grant uninterrupted public access along the length of the English coastline.

Natural England first presented their proposals to Defra earlier this year and I wrote about this then at Coastal Access is on its Way. Public support is very strong for a continual coastal corridor which would bring England into line with Scotland and shortly Wales. However it is strongly opposed by landowners and the battle is not yet won. Read more at Coastal Access and the right to roam our English coastline

To help maintain public and media focus on this initiative, MyFavouritePubWalks.com has decided to add a special "Favourite Coastal Pub Walk" category in its search for The Nation's Favourite Pub Walk. The additional prize will be a copy of "The Walkers Companion", published and donated by The Ramblers Association who have been strong campaigners for coastal access.

Today's participating pub: The Inn with the Well in Ogbourne St. George, Wiltshire.
Prizes offered: 1st - Meal for 2 with wine; 2nd - Bottle of Chianti or Pinot Grigio.

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Increased Coastal Access is On The Way

There is much comment about coastal access at the moment following Natural England's recommendation for "a 4,500 km continuous corridor of clear and well managed public access along the entire length of England’s coast." Natural England, the Government's new conservation advisory body, are in for a bumpy ride.

The proposals are brave in their vision but, as with everything, the devil is in the detail. The Ramblers are generally encouraged but want national legistlation and have real concerns over implementation if this is left to local authorities, given their a mixed record in enforcing rights of way. The National Farmers Union of course are up in arms about a statutory approach, calling for local solutions and compensation, while the Country Land and Business Association raise the issue of how this would impact other individual rural businesses too such as gold courses, holiday parks and caravan sites.

The Government is committed to action but will undertake further consultation later in the year. Let's hope talk gives way to real action soon. In the meantime, why not try today's pub walk below which includes a stretch of the South West Coast Path?
See update...

Today's pub walk: The Mussel Inn, Down Thomas, Devon

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Posted: TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2007