Marine and Coastal Access Act

[jazzactivist]

Did you know that amongst all the twittering about Gordon Brown's handwriting and spelling mistakes et al, the government have passed a really useful Act that should benefit us all. The Marine Act, as it is known, will open up access to everyone of the entire coast of Britain. It will be possible to walk right around the coast of our country without having to go inland, and go to beaches over private land where previously there has been no access allowed. This brings 'ownership' of our coastal areas back to the people from private landowners. I am delighted with it, as most of the coast of Cumbria is currently inaccessable, and look forward to exploring new areas of our coast as they become available and hope that future generations will be able to enjoy areas that we can't. What do you think of this new Act? Will you be going down to the sea and exploring new beaches?

[Pippa]

I could never understand how anyone could 'own' a beach anyway. I hope that landowners comply with this act and we can all have access, lots more beachcombing possibilities.

[cindy]

It is a good move but I can understand the fears of some of the farmers. Not all walkers are responsible people and leave gets open, let their dogs loose among livestock, walk on crops etc.

[Primrose]

Yes - I agree it is a good move and as Cindy states there will be people who do not respect that there are those who have a living to make.

I did see on TV that one Holiday Camp was not at all happy as the route would go right through their site. So big changes ahead for some.

[franbee]

I too think that it will be great for those of us who like to explore the coastline.

[jazzactivist]

It will be the same as for any other route across private land. In Scotland it is possible to walk across any land, so long as you don't go too close to industrial units etc. Landowners are responsible for marking the path that people should take. There aren't many incidents where people leave gates open or let dogs roam among livestock, although that had been their fear, as the sort of people who enjoy walking are usually quite responsible about the Countryside Code. We had a public right of way straight through our land and just put a couple of styles in the fence and a "dogs on leads" sign. It was fine, and I would do it again. I'm looking forward to being able to get down to the coast in different places, as I love the sea, although it will probably take a few years for the whole British coast to become open.