13 September 2007 - Responding to proposals to create a coastal path around England, CCPR has urged ministers to open up the coast to as wide a range of recreation as possible.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is consulting on how best to open up access to England's coastline, with a popular proposal being the creation of a pathway around the country. CCPR, however, is encouraging ministers to think bigger and to consider the full range of recreation which takes place around our coast.
As part of its response, CCPR has called for the creation of a 'coastal zone', running from the mean low tide mark to a point inland - a plan which would enable cyclists, cavers, climbers, anglers, sailors and others to enjoy access one of the country''s greatest natural assets.
CCPR Chief Executive, Tim Lamb, said that he hoped ministers would make the most of the chance to improve access to the shoreline.
“These proposals are a step in the right direction but they are not the leap which could transform access to our coast.
“There is a great opportunity to create thousands of new ‘theatres of activity’ around our coastline where people can cycle, canoe, climb, cave or ride. But that won’t be achieved by opening up a narrow ‘corridor’ which constricts access on either side – what is needed is comprehensive access from a point inland all the way across to the sea. That will mean that people aren’t restricted to just sight-seeing but that they can actually interact with our coast right around the country."
To see CCPR's response to the consultation please visit our campaigning pages.
