Statement on the Coastal Access project
3 August 2010
The latest information on work to secure a long distance walking trail around the open coast of England
As a result of a five percent reduction to this year’s budget Natural England has needed to assess the scope and delivery of some of its in-year programmes. Five local authorities (Cumbria, East Riding of Yorkshire, Somerset, Kent and Norfolk) are involved in the implementation of the first phases of the roll out of the All England Coastal Path. Work at the Weymouth stretch of the coast path is continuing but the five local authorities have been informed that the scale and scope of the initial roll out in their areas will need to be reduced to accommodate the reductions in this year’s budget.
It is incorrect to say that the coastal access project has been shelved; the availability of funding for a wider rollout of coastal access schemes will become clearer following the Comprehensive Spending Review process expected to be completed this autumn.
Natural England is continuing with the roll out in the five pilot areas and will await clarification from the CSR process about the long term budget that is likely to be available for funding rollout in these areas and elsewhere.
For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk out of hours 07970 098005. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk
