Clause 297
Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]
2:25 pm
Richard Benyon (Shadow Minister, Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Newbury, Conservative)
With that endorsement ringing in my ears and a sense of end-of-term fever, I rise to speak to the amendment, which looks again at the issues relating to legitimate businesses around coastal Britain. We hope to ensure that diversions are made around commercial developments such as marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs, because that is essential. Such sites operate heavy machinery throughout the day, and that could pose a health and safety risk to individuals. Furthermore, operational sites such as marinas may contain high-value equipment that could cause a security risk as a result of unrestricted access.
If recreational boating facilities are not designated as excepted land under schedule 1 to the CROW Act, there must be provision in the Bill to exempt those sites and establish diversions around them. That is an attempt neither to stop the path nor to limit walkers’ enjoyment of the coast—in fact, in many cases, their enjoyment will be enhanced, because they will be away from industrial and work environments and will perhaps enjoy better views. The amendment would ensure that safety and security are not compromised in the name of access. Coastal access designation under the Bill should create a pathway that passes those facilities, but not give powers to go through operational sites.