20/11/08 - Many residents have contacted me recently regarding coastal access provisions in the Marine Bill, and specifically about access for equestrians.

I have spoken to the Minister responsible who has assured me that the importance of off-road riding for horse-riders and cyclists, and the provision of higher rights as part of improvements to coastal access have been carefully considered.

However, the Government - alongside Natural England - have concluded that because the coast is such a complex and varied environment, a blanket approach to include rights for users other than those on foot would not be appropriate in all circumstances, and that such provision is best achieved through identification of opportunities at the local level, through agreement with landowners.

I understand that Natural England will publish guidance on how it intends to implement such provision in due course.

The draft Marine Bill has been scrutinised by both a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament and an EFRA Committee of the House of Commons. In its report on the coastal access provisions, the EFRA Committee agreed that Defra and Natural England’s approach to higher rights was sensible.

In particular, it would not be practical or affordable to make the whole of the coastal path usable by horses and bicycles, but that where local geography and environmental circumstances allowed, the opportunity should be taken to improve access for such users.

The findings of the Committees’ reports have been considered and a Government response to the pre-legislative scrutiny and public consultation was issued on 25 September. You can read the response here.

A summary of responses to the public consultation has also been published and can be viewed here.