Enhanced walkways are a Natural step

23 February 2007

Natural England claims 30% of routes have no known access (Pic: Natrual England)

A 10-year, £50M programme to create quality walking-routes along England’s 4,000km of coastline has been proposed by Natural England, to provide the general right of access the Government has promised.
Natural England has suggested tackling the situation where 30% of the coastline has ‘no known access’, while the 70% where there is a legal right of access is often difficult or impossible to use. The best way to implement the programme would be ‘a mix of national momentum with local involvement and design’ – with Natural England taking the lead, but with input from councils. New legal powers would be required, because a Countryside and Rights of Way Act order would be scuppered if landowners refused to opt in, while relying on the creation of individual public rights of way would hinge on the ‘variable’ scope for highway authorities to act.
The proposed legislation would enable Natural England to draw up a legally-binding ‘coastal access corridor,’ in accordance with a statutory methodology approved by the environment secretary, and to allow it to install any new bridges, steps, gates or pathway drainage necessary to make the route useable. The work would cost an estimated £2M, and £5M annually for 10 years.
Natural England expects that the programme could be covered by its existing budget, with the funding diverted to local access authorities where they choose to take the work on instead.
A spokeswoman said that long-term funding for the maintenance of the paths would be ‘fundamental’ to the success of the project, and would be considered when the legislation was being drawn up – if the Government decided to proceed. She promised that local authorities would be involved in decisions about the route alignment, even when they decided not to take on the job themselves.

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login

Sign In

Enhanced walkways are a Natural step

order biaxin tablets

buying biaxin

ordering clarithromycin

Register now for full access

Login