A coalition of Britain's leading outdoor organisations and local people will come together on Thursday 9th August at Brean Down, North Somerset, to express support for a coastal access corridor in England during the Governments consultation on improving access to England's coast.

Time is running out to have your say on how we access our great British Coastline. Nearly a third of our coastline is inaccessible and access to the rest is not always easy, clear or safe.

The current Government consultation on improving access to the coast is possibly one of the most important pieces of legislation to have an impact on the public. Going to the seaside is an experience that we all enjoy and should be a permanent right but for the majority of our coastline, this right could be removed at any time.

To demonstrate how a full coastal experience can be achieved, coast lovers will unite at Brean Down on the North Somerset coast on Thursday 9 August 2007, to promote a permanent right of access to the coastline and to express public support for a coastal access corridor in England - an option that will not only be beneficial to the public but will include measures to improve and conserve biodiversity along the English coast and allow for adaptation as our coastline changes. Brean Down, which is owned by the National Trust, offers a prime example of how access to our coastal areas does and should work, and how recreation and conservation can go hand in hand.

Many leading recreational and conservation organisations who together represent over 4 million people have been campaigning to see a permanent right of access to a 'coastal corridor', which should extend from the mean low water mark to a point inland, and include areas such as beaches, foreshore and cliffs. Other options on the table include voluntary arrangements and a footpath around the coast which wouldn’t give us the permanent right to explore, wander along the beeches and cliffs, swim, climb, kayak, surf and do our much loved sea side activities. Reliance on voluntary measures for implementation may also result in a patchy network of access agreements and will be difficult to manage with the public naturally wanting to explore further a field.

From 12 noon onwards, local people and representative bodies will show their support by walking along this stretch of coastline and will carry out their recreational activities including climbing, horse riding and cycling. These activities will take place alongside one another to demonstrate the compatibility of a range of activities along our coastline and to provide photo and film opportunities.

At 2pm, the BMC and the National Trust will then give a short briefing on what the consultation means to the general public. Representatives from other recreational organisations will also highlight their concerns and will be present to answer questions.

It is hoped that the day will attract the media and raise the profile and understanding of the public consultation.

Read a full press release here.

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