Clause 296
Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]
9:30 am
Richard Benyon (Shadow Minister, Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Newbury, Conservative)
I am concerned that the hon. Gentleman’s amendment would limit the most important quality of the proposal for a coastal access path— simplicity and clear understanding. There may be many ways to deal with continuance of the path in the off-season when a ferry no longer operates. I would hate the Bill to go down the route of making a complex timed requirement to open up certain other areas. I have in mind the Cromarty firth, off the Moray firth, where there is a narrow neck of water with a summer ferry, so people have good access at that time. If, when it is closed, we create a requirement to open up what I think is called the Invergordon—