“The coastal path around Britain is paved with gold”

As concerns about Britain’s fragile economy escalate, On January 22nd The House of Lords heard that the benefits to tourism from fully opening up the coast to the public are needed more than ever. The Marine and Coastal Access Bill, currently under discussion in The House of Lords, could see walkers giving an annual boost of up to £128 million pounds to coastal businesses, when the new all-England coastal trail becomes a reality2 .A report commissioned by the Ramblers into the economic and social value of coastal walking also found that over 11,300 jobs could be generated by better walking facilities on the coast.
Liberal Democrat Peer, Lord Greaves said “Coastal walking brings in millions to the rural economy. Just look at the South West Coastal Path, which generates £307 million for the regional economy annually3. If the proposed English coastal path brings similar benefits around the English coast, it will bring significant benefits to local businesses and the wider rural economy”.

The government’s advisory body, Natural England, has found that you can only walk along the coast for an hour on average before you are confronted by an obstruction that would force you to turn back or head inland. It also indicates that approximately 50% of the English coastline will need improving to enable a continuous coastal trail.

Tom Franklin, Ramblers’ Chief Executive said of the Bill: “For coastal economies, the continuous coastal path around Britain is paved with gold.”

“Our vision is for a coastal trail that brings economic and ecological prosperity to coastal areas – currently suffering badly in the recession. Investment will improve walking opportunities, wildlife protection on the coast, and will rejuvenate struggling coastal businesses.”