The CLA said the island already has adequate coastal access. Photo: Val Pollard CC-BY-SA-2.0
The organisation that represents country landowners said there is no need to extend the England Coast Path to the Isle of Wight.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is consulting on extending the Marine and Coastal Access Act provisions to the island, which was originally excluded from plans for a walking corridor the length of England’s coast.
But the Country Land & Business Association said a path already exists on the Isle of Wight, and extension of access rights is unnecessary.
President Harry Cotterell said: “The Isle of Wight already has an excellent coastal path. It is difficult to see how this could be improved, given that any small areas which are currently inaccessible are likely to remain so for safety, security or environmental reasons.
“To extend coastal access provisions to the island would be a costly and bureaucratic exercise with little real benefit to users.
“If the Government wishes to improve access, it should look at alternative methods which have been much more successful, such as the Welsh Coastal Path.”
When Defra first announced in July it was considering bringing the Isle of Wight under the Marine and Coastal Access Act, Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, said: “We could never understand why it was excluded and during the passage of the bill pressed many times for its inclusion.
“It has a magnificent coastline and is an important tourist destination.
“If there is a right for people to walk right round the coast, with additional spreading room for public access, it will ensure that residents and visitors can truly enjoy this spectacular island as well as boosting the income from tourism.”
The Defra consultation ends today.
Anonymouse
16 November 2012When a group of landowners decide that new rules don't need to apply to them since they're doing so much already to give access, that's when you need to worry and push that this be enforced upon them
Walkerjohn
18 November 2012There are, of course, many benefits to be obtained from extending the England Coastal Path to include the Isle of Wight and these are all available to read in the documents prepared by the Islands Ramblers Association and in the DEFRA documents.
To summarise: This would be a "national" path and thus accredited. There would be the facility to automatically deal with erosion of the route - a serious problem currently resulting in sections closed for years. There would be coastal access in areas not currently available. There would be an independent body deciding where the route should be improved. There would be far reaching benefits to the Island economy from increased tourism.
A worthy cause which should be supported by all who have a desire to improve access to this Islands beautiful coast.
The Welsh Coastal Plan was carried out speedily and perhaps could be a model for the slow England Plan - the Island should still be included.
steve
20 November 2012In the meantime,walk it anyway