Opening up our magnificent North East coast

Nov 13 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

A BILL due to be given Royal assent last night will open up access to the whole of one of the North East’s greatest natural assets – its coast.

The Marine and Coastal Access Bill will also see offshore protection areas set up to safeguard the underwater eco-system, its plants and sea creatures, and the feeding grounds of wildlife such as birds and seals.

The country’s wildlife trusts, including Northumberland and Durham, have campaigned for the last decade for such a Bill.

The Northumberland coast is rich in diversity and designations, including an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, heritage coastline and European Special Protection Area.

The County Durham coast, now fast recovering after years of colliery spoil tipping, also has heritage coast status and National Trust stretches.

“The Bill is a really big achievement for the wildlife trusts. Our coastline in the North East is fantastic and the marine environment is immensely rich,” said Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

“The coast very much defines the character of the North East. It is part of our culture but it needs some TLC.”

He said it was hoped the Bill would lead to the designation of the equivalent of offshore national nature reserves and national parks, plus protected corridors between the top sites though which marine life could move freely and safely.

“Marine species and populations off our coast are under threat and if we do nothing there is the fear that the North Sea could become a dying sea.”

In terms of access for people, this is not currently possible on a third of the North East coastline, totaling 60 miles.

The 64-mile Northumberland Coast path winds from Cresswell to near Berwick, but the section from Bamburgh to the north goes inland through Belford and along the Kyloe Hills in a long loop inland.

“Open coastal access will be really good for the North East economy,” said Nuala Wright, Ramblers Northumbria access officer.

“Reassuring people that they will be able to walk the whole coast will have a significant tourism impact and will help declining rural businesses.”

She said that the open access legislation of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act of 2000 had caused initial concerns among landowners.

“But they have now accepted that walkers don’t create problems and that they respect access and do not misuse it.”

Amanda Miller, regional conservation manager for the RSPB, said the new Bill was of “monumental” importance.