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Landmark bill a "victory for walkers everywhere, says Britain¹s walking charity
The entire Yorkshire coastline is about to be permanently opened up to the public for the first time, with the landmark Marine and Coastal Access bill set to to gain Royal Assent on the 12th of November.
The Act will create a 170 mile path round the Yorkshire coast, enabling the public to walk unobstructed from Whitby to Grimsby for the first time.
This follows decades of campaigning by Britain's leading walking charity, the Ramblers.
Currently nearly 50% of the English coast has no public right of way, and the public can only walk an average 1.9 miles on the coast on a Œsecure or satisfactory path (Natural England 2009).
Yorkshire will see huge improvements to coastal access and a vital boost to the rural economy thanks to this landmark bill.
Tom Franklin, CEO of the Ramblers, comments: "The passing into law of this historic bill will mark a victory for everyone who walks in this island nation.
"The Act will enshrine a very simple principle on the statute books that everyone, no matter who they are, where they come from or how much money they have, has the right to visit all parts of the coast which is so much a part of our heritage. The Government deserves genuine congratulations for having introduced the bill, based on Natural England research. What is now needed is a commitment to deliver access so people have a chance to enjoy the coast."
Tom Halstead, volunteer Area Access Officer for the local East Yorkshire & Derwent Ramblers, who has led local efforts to secure the passage of the bill, says: "The ŒEnglish Coastal Path which will be created by this Act will eventually give the public the legal right to walk within sight of the sea along the whole length of the Yorkshire coast.
"Or the East Riding in particular, it will be possible to walk along the cliff top from Bridlington to Spurn Head, a long section that lacks an ongoing path at the moment. Importantly, to take account of erosion, the path will be rolled back when and where necessary."
Following likely Royal Assent, the Ramblers campaign will focus on making the secondary legislation needed to turn the act into reality, working with its strong national workforce of volunteers to help Natural England create a National Trail which will be the envy of the world. They have produced a pack that will Œmyth-bust and provide answers to many frequently asked questions.
For FAQs, next steps and more info on the bill visit: www.ramblers.org.uk/campaigns/Coastal+Access+latest+news
Visit www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/yorks-humber_tcm6-12269.pdf for detailed maps of Englands coast showing gaps in access.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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