The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea) (No. 2) Order 2026
Designated 24 June 2026 as the end of the coastal access preparation period for the Southwold to Lowestoft stretch of the England Coast Path.
This Order establishes June 24, 2026, as the formal end of the access preparation period for specific stretches of the Suffolk coastline between Southwold and Lowestoft.
It applies to land designated as coastal margin within the England Coast Path sectors AHS4 and AHS5, effectively enabling public access rights under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
The Order affects landowners, local authorities, and the general public by concluding the legal window reserved for physical preparations and land management changes required for the new long-distance route.
Arguments For
The order identifies that the Secretary of State has approved coastal access reports submitted by Natural England for the stretches between Southwold and Pakefield (AHS4) and Pakefield to Lowestoft (AHS5).
The document states that appointing an end date for the access preparation period is a necessary step under section 3A(10) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to enable public access rights.
Proponents indicate that the legal basis for these changes is established by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, which aims to create a continuous long-distance walking route around the English coast.
Arguments Against
Property owners and local businesses have previously raised concerns regarding the potential for increased liability or loss of privacy when land is designated as coastal margin.
Legal analysts may note that the specific dates and boundaries of the coastal margin depend on the complex interaction between this Order and the original Natural England reports, which are not contained within the text of the Order itself.
Environmental groups sometimes raise concerns about the impact of increased foot traffic on sensitive coastal habitats, though such assessments are typically handled during the report approval stage rather than this commencement order.
Citation and commencement and interpretation
- —(1) This Order may be cited as the Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea) (No. 2) Order 2026 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 proposal contained in the—
(a) England Coast Path Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea AHS4, Southwold to Pakefield report on 18th September 2025;
(b) England Coast Path Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea AHS5, Pakefield to Lowestoft report on 23rd June 2022.
'the relevant report' means the report submitted by Natural England to the Secretary of State under sections 51 and 55A of the Act on 29th January 2020 entitled—
(a) England Coast Path Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea AHS4, Southwold to Pakefield;
(b) England Coast Path Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea AHS5, Pakefield to Lowestoft.
This section provides the official name of the Order and sets its commencement date as June 30, 2026.
It defines the 'relevant approval' and 'relevant report' by referencing specific Natural England documents and Secretary of State approvals.
These definitions clarify which geographical sections of the coastline near Southwold, Pakefield, and Lowestoft are governed by the Order.
End of access preparation period
- In relation to land which is coastal margin, as a result of the relevant approvals of the proposals contained in the relevant reports, the day appointed as the day on which the access preparation period ends, is 24th June 2026.
This section sets June 24, 2026, as the formal conclusion of the access preparation period for the specified coastal land.
The access preparation period is the duration during which infrastructure like gates or signs is installed and land management changes occur before full public access rights take effect.
Following the end of this period, the land becomes subject to the public right of access for open-air recreation.
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