Memorandum submitted by Jean Perraton
(DMB 28)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The committee invited respondents to comment
upon whether there should be access rights for other users such
as cyclists or horse riders. This submission argues that there
should be no general widening of the access rights to cyclists
and, most particularly for horse riders for the following reasons:
(i) the increased pressures on the coastal landscape and wildlife
(ii) conflicts between horse riders and walkers, including the
impact of horse riding on shared paths, (iii) the adverse effects
the beach environment and sea water quality if many more beaches
become accessible to horse riders, and (iv) and the additional
difficulties of selecting a route suitable for walkers, cyclists
and horse riders which would cause further delay in implementing
what is already a complicated and time-consuming scheme.
Walking is by far the most popular outdoor activity
in England and is, together with the associated activities of
picnicking, nature watching, paddling and swimming, a low impact
use of the coastal environment. These are inclusive activities
that can be enjoyed by young and old, rich and poor. There would
continue to be scope for local authorities to extend access locally
for other users, such as cyclists and horse riders, in appropriate
places, but the government's ambitious goal of opening up a linear
route, with spreading room, to virtually the whole of the English
coast should continue to focus upon walkers.
SUBMISSION
1. The committee invited respondents to
comment upon, amongst other things, whether there should be access
rights for other users such as cyclists or horse riders. This
submission argues that there should be no general widening of
the access rights to cyclists and horse riders. The arguments
against such an extension are particularly strong in relation
to horse riding.
2. The coastal environment of England is
remarkable in its scenic quality and variety; there are few places
in the world where one can find such an extraordinary variety
of geology and landscape. Much of it has been spoilt by urban
development or by intensive farming, but much remains unspoilt—some
wild and rugged, some more pastoral, some supporting important
wildlife habitats, some sensitive to human pressures. In opening
up more our wonderful coastlands for people to enjoy, it is vital
that this is done in a way that brings maximum benefit to users
and minimal harm to the environment.
3. This can be done, with appropriate safeguards,
for those on foot. Walking is by far the most popular way for
people to enjoy the countryside. The table below show that in
2002 half the population of Britain had walked—way above
any other activity. (Numerous other surveys, with slightly different
figures, show a similar pattern of relative popularity). Walking
and the associated activities of picnicking and nature watching,
paddling and swimming, have relatively small adverse impacts on
the landscape and wildlife habitats. Cycling is also a popular
activity, and appears to be increasing in popularity, but entails
more wear and tear on the terrain. Horse riding, however, remains
(despite the vocal lobbying of the British Horse Society) very
much a minority activity, and brings with it more serious conflicts
with other users, and more wear and tear on the terrain, than
cycling. On a narrow route horses can be intimidating to walkers,
and frightening to young children. In wet weather horses create
deep holes in footpaths which, when dry and hard, make a less
pleasant, and for some less able walkers such as very young children
or elderly people, a more difficult surface upon which to walk.
4. The opening up of a linear coastal route
for walkers will enable them to reach beaches which are currently
inaccessible or difficult to reach. If this route were also to
be shared by horse riders it would enable them too to reach more
beaches with serious implications for swimmers, paddlers and picnickers.
One only needs to look at the unpleasant sludge that gathers on
the incoming tide at Holkham beach in Norfolk, which is used by
horse riders, to realise the unpleasantness and health hazards
of horse riding along the sands. The activities of a few seriously
detract from the pleasure of the many.
5. If there is no general extension of access
for cyclists and horse riders, in the context of the proposals
of the draft Marine Bill, it does not mean that there could be
no further improvements for these users to enjoy parts of the
coast. There will continue to be scope for local authorities to
extend access locally for other users, such as cyclists and horse
riders, in appropriate places. Local authorities are already working,
though their Local Access Improvement Plans and with advice from
Local Access Forums, to extend opportunities for cycle paths and
bridleways where this makes most sense in terms of local provision
and local needs. This is the appropriate mechanism for extending
and improving access for cycling and horse riding to selected
parts of the coast.
6. Natural England recognises that the problems
of route selection for walkers, in the scheme as currently envisaged,
will be difficult and time consuming, and hence does not envisage
completion in less than ten years. If the needs of cyclists and
horse riders also have to be taken into account, as well as the
impacts such users will have on the landscape, wildlife and other
users, the programme will inevitably be extended. Such a change
would delay even further the opening up of our fine coast to walking—which
is and can be enjoyed by most people.
7. The government's ambitious and important
goal of opening up a linear route, with spreading room, to virtually
the whole of the English coast should continue to focus upon walkers.
Table 1
PARTICIPATION IN SELECTED SPORTS, GAMES AND
ACTIVITIES IN GREAT BRITAIN IN 2002 (PERCENTAGE OF ADULT POPULATION
TAKING PART IN PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS)
| Activity | Percentage taking part
|
| Walking | 49.9 |
| Cycling | 19.1 |
| Swimming out-of-doors | 12.5
|
| Fishing | 5.6 |
| Horse Riding | 3.5 |
| Sailing | 2.4 |
| Canoeing | 1.8 |
| Source: Office of National Statistics 2004. Extract from Table 1
|
Jean Perraton
May 2008
| |
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