Memorandum submitted by the British Ports
Association (DMB 58)
Ports play a vital economic role in England
and the UK. More than 95% of the UK's international trade passes
through its ports and the industry is predicted to grow steadily
over the coming years.
The BPA represents a high number and diverse
cross section of ports located throughout the country. It has
over 50 port members in England alone and is uniquely well placed
to respond to this consultation.
We welcome the opportunity given to us by the
Commons EFRA Committee to comment on the Coastal Access provisions
contained within the recently published Draft Marine Bill. In
principle the BPA supports these proposals and advocates initiatives
which attempt to encourage the public to take a greater interest
in the English coast. We have previously had some reservations
about the concept of a universal coastal path, particularly in
areas where it could threaten the security, safety, future development
and commercial activity of ports in England.
We therefore welcome the Natural England's Coastal
Access "Outline Scheme" document which appears to have
taken into consideration many of the security and safety concerns
which the ports sector voiced in last year's Defra consultation
on coastal access and a subsequent stakeholder meeting the UKMPG
and BPA had with Natural England and Defra at our offices in London.
We now feel confident that the implementation
of the legislation by Natural England will take into consideration
these security and safety concerns. Section 7.2 of the "Outline
Scheme" document highlights that under the proposals public
trails will "usually" avoid ports, other industrial
areas and areas subject to special security measures. We hope
that this statement is enforced and that the appliance of the
term "usually" is done so using common sense. We are
greatly encouraged that the Draft Bill itself notes that members
of the public should not be given access to areas of ports which
would endanger their safety or threaten port security.
We would also suggest that the wording of section
7.2.3 of the NE document should include all types and sizes of
ports and not just those specialising in the container industry.
It is likely that many smaller regional ports will be of greater
interest to visitors and we would like to ensure that their activities
are not greatly disrupted by public access.
The BPA's main remaining area of concern is
future planning and port development. It is extremely important
that port expansion schemes are not hindered by newly introduced
coastal paths. Our fear is that future expansion and development
projects are delayed by many years or restricted on planning grounds.
Therefore we urge Defra to ensure that the appliance of access
under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to areas surrounding
ports should take into account land which might be used for expansion
in the future and not just that which is in current use. We hope
the government recognises that ports will need support from its
departments and agencies if the sector is expected to provide
the capacity increases required to accommodate the forecasted
import and export growth.
We understand that the UK Major Ports Group
will submit a similar response to the Committee backing up our
concerns. The BPA and the ports sector looks forward to participating
in discussions relating to the implementation of the Bill when
or if it becomes law.
Richard Ballantyne
Policy Adviser
British Ports Association
May 2008
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