Written question asked by Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Conservative) on Monday, 21 November 2011.

Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what timetable is in place for completing the coastal path as set out in the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and what budget has been allocated for this.

Answer: There is no timescale in the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 for implementation of the coastal route, but we will introduce the new right of coastal access on a 30-kilometre stretch of the English coast between Portland and Lulworth Cove in Dorset in time for the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events, which begin in July 2012. Natural England is also currently working on proposals to implement coastal access in a further five areas around the coast, as we announced in October 2010. When proposals for the coastal route have been prepared in each of the five areas, Natural England will start a period of local consultation. Natural England has estimated that the costs to deliver coastal access at Weymouth and in the five lead areas where it has started work will be £34,000, £40,000 and £165,000 in the years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively.

Secondary information