The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Humber Bridge to Easington) Order 2025
The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Humber Bridge to Easington) Order 2025 sets March 26, 2025, as the end date for the access preparation period for coastal margin land between the Humber Bridge and Easington.
This follows the Secretary of State's approval of Natural England's report proposing a coastal access path in this area, based on the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
Arguments For
Improved Public Access: The order facilitates public access to the coastal margin, promoting recreation and enjoyment of the natural environment.
Implementation of Existing Legislation: The order implements the provisions of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, fulfilling the government's commitment to expand public access to the countryside.
Support for Sustainable Tourism: Increased access can contribute to the local economy by boosting sustainable tourism in the region, supporting local businesses and creating jobs.
Environmental Stewardship: Improved public access encourages environmental stewardship and can contribute to conservation efforts along this stretch of coast.
Arguments Against
Potential for Environmental Damage: Increased footfall could lead to habitat disruption and pollution in sensitive coastal ecosystems.
Management and Infrastructure Challenges: Managing increased visitor numbers may require additional resources for infrastructure, maintenance, waste disposal, and managing potential conflicts with other land uses.
Impact on Local Communities: The increased access may affect the lives and livelihoods of local residents and businesses and require mitigation measures to address concerns about noise, parking, and other potential disruptions.
Potential for Conflict with other Land Uses: The coastal margin may have other uses, such as agriculture or aquaculture. Therefore, clarifying boundaries and managing potential conflicts may be required.
- Citation and commencement and interpretation (1) This Order may be cited as the Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Humber Bridge to Easington) Order 2025 and comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made. (2) In this Order— “the Act” means the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949; “the relevant approval” means the approval by the Secretary of State under section 52(1) of the Act of the relevant report on 2nd March 2022; “the relevant report” means the report titled “England Coastal Path Humber Bridge to Easington” submitted by Natural England to the Secretary of State under sections 51 and 55A of the Act on 12th May 2021.
Section 1 provides the Order's official title and effective date.
It also defines key terms: 'the Act' refers to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949; 'the relevant approval' is the Secretary of State's approval of a specific report; and 'the relevant report' details the proposed England Coastal Path from the Humber Bridge to Easington, submitted by Natural England.
- End of access preparation period In relation to land which is coastal margin, as a result of the relevant approval of the relevant report, the day appointed as the day on which the access preparation period ends, is 26th March 2025.
This section establishes March 26, 2025, as the official end date for the access preparation period for the specified coastal area.
This date is linked to the government's approval of Natural England's plan.
The preparation period is the time allocated to prepare the land for public access.
EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order) This Order appoints the day on which the access preparation period ends in relation to land which is coastal margin as a result of the approval by the Secretary of State of Natural England’s proposals contained in a report relating to coastal access along the long-distance route between Humber Bridge and Easington. A copy of the Secretary of State’s notice of approval is available at www.gov.uk and a copy may also be obtained by writing to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1 4DF. An impact assessment has not been prepared in respect of this Order because the assumptions underlying the Order were reflected in the impact assessment which was prepared for the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23). It is available at www.gov.uk, or may be obtained by writing to the Commons and Access Implementation Team at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at the address given above.
The explanatory note clarifies that the Order's purpose is to set the end date for preparations for public access to the coastal path.
It also states that a separate impact assessment was already completed for the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, eliminating the need for a new one.
Details on accessing the relevant documents are provided.