Two major charities have welcomed the news that England’s coastal path is on course for completion in five years’ time. The National Trust and the Ramblers said they are celebrating the announcement that funding for the project will be protected from Chancellor George Osborne’s £20bn cuts.
The trust owns large stretches of the coastline of England and the Ramblers have campaigned hard for access to the shore. The walkers’ charity had expressed concern that the Government had gone cold on the idea as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs suffered large cuts to its budget. Defra minister Rory Stewart confirmed in a written parliamentary answer that funding to complete the England Coast Path by 2020 will be protected.
Nicky Philpott, Ramblers director of advocacy and engagement, said: “We’re delighted that the Government has stuck by its commitment to fund Natural England to complete the England Coast Path by 2020, a longstanding Ramblers dream. “There is huge public love for our coast and we’ve been leading the campaign for many years to open up the coastline for everyone to enjoy. “It’s particularly fitting that this news comes as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the passage of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, which gave people rights to walk over mapped areas of open green space in England.”
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