The CLA calls on MPs to reconsider coastal access plan while there is still time

The CLA today (Monday, 26 October) urged MPs to reconsider the coastal access section of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill as it edged close to becoming law.

The rural economy experts said access to the English coastline was already very good.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "By Natural England’s own audit, 84 percent of the English coast already enjoys public access. When areas of development, ports, defence land and so on are taken into account, it means only eight percent of the coast is inaccessible. These figures beg the question, is the legislation really justified?

"Research shows what the public really wants is for the existing access to be enhanced with better signage and facilities, less expensive car parking, and improved bus or public transport services to get to coastal paths."

The controversial Bill today entered the final stages of its parliamentary journey – providing MPs with an opportunity to vote against the coastal access legislation, said the CLA.

Nonetheless, the CLA has fought hard to improve the Bill and has secured a number of key amendments to ensure coastal landowners and those with businesses on the coast are better protected than they would otherwise have been.

Lobbying by the CLA resulted in an independent right of appeal being included in the Bill - meaning landowners have the right to contest the placing of the route.