Coastal Areas: Access

House of Lords written question – answered at on 6 June 2005.

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Photo of Lord Greaves Lord Greaves Spokesperson in the Lords, Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to bring into force those provisions of Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 that relate to coastal access; and, if so, when.

Photo of Lord Bach Lord Bach Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (Farming, Food and Sustainable Energy)

Improving access to coastal areas will be an early priority for this Government. We are looking at a full range of options for improving access to coastal areas including using Section 3 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Any decision will be preceded by full public consultation which will set out the facts, a range of options, and the costs and benefits associated with each option.

As a first step we have asked the Countryside Agency to undertake fact-finding work to build up a detailed picture of current access provision. This will draw on existing datasets, any relevant published research and existing expertise and experience internally and within partner and stakeholder organisations. The agency has already circulated a questionnaire to all coastal local authorities to gather information on current access, perceptions of problems and opportunities. It has also undertaken a number of case studies focusing on a number of different coastal situations. We have asked the agency to complete this work by the early summer.

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