Memorandum submitted by Associated British
Ports (DMB 09)
1. I am submitting views on behalf of Associated
British Ports (ABP) to the EFRA Committee Inquiry into Coastal
Access Provisions.
2. ABP owns and operates 14 ports in England,
5 in Wales and 2 in Scotland and is the largest ports group within
the UK. ABP is a statutory harbour authority for all its main
ports. Where it can, ABP in partnership with others provides limited,
safe, public access to docks and environs.
3. We recognise that the coast is enormously
popular with people for beach activities and wider forms of recreation,
including walking. We accept that access is currently provided
under a variety of arrangements and to varying standards. We agree,
therefore, that there is room to improve people's enjoyment of
the coast.
4. However, we have significant concerns
should a route providing continuous access to the coast mean the
creation of new public rights of way through port operational
areas.
5. Any such proposals to provide access
through port operational areas would create serious difficulties
in relation to safety to both the public and port operator and
compromise port security.
6. We note that access proposals within
the draft Bill include changes to existing legislation to take
account of the unique circumstances at the coast. Schedule 1 of
the CROW Act specifically considers some transport related land
use "excepted land" eg aerodrome and railway. However,
commercial port activities are absent.
7. We therefore suggest that, for completeness,
the list of "excepted land" under Schedule 1 of the
CROW Act is amended to include specific reference to ports to
safeguard both safety and security of port operational areas.
8. Overall, we support the wish to improve
access to the open coast but remain concerned should new access
rights be proposed that increase risk to safety or security.
Peter Barham
Sustainable Development Manager, Associated British
Ports
May 2008
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