Written question asked by Alison McGovern (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 October 2013, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 October 2013. It was answered by George Eustice (Conservative) on Monday, 14 October 2013 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Public Footpaths: Coastal Areas

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what length of the English coastal path is currently available for public access; what proportion this represents of the eventual complete path; and when he expects the full length of the path to be publicly accessible.

Answer

An estimated 66% of the total English coast of 4,422 km has legally secured access. This includes existing long-distance paths such as the South West Coastal Path of 1,000 km. The right of coastal access has been introduced on a 32 km stretch of the English coast at Weymouth under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, representing 0.7% of the estimated total length of the English coast.

We have not set a timetable for completion of the English coastal path but are pressing ahead with delivering coastal access on a further 10 stretches of the English coast. We are applying the lessons that we have learnt to make sure it offers value for money.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 170411; 568 c455W
Session: 2013-14
Subjects: Access Coastal areas Public footpaths
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Public Footpaths: Coastal Areas

Secondary information

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