Making the most of the coast

The British Horse Society is urging all those with equestrian interests to contact their local MP and ask for their support in expanding the Access All Areas plan to allow access to the coast for all non-motorised users.

The plan for greater access to the English coast, which was set out on Tuesday, June 19, by environment secretary David Milliband, currently only includes walkers. Mr Milliband said: “We are an island nation.

The coast is our birthright and everyone should be able to enjoy it. I want families to have safe and secure access to walk, climb, rock scramble, paddle and play all along our coastline.

“The coast is also vitally important for nature conservation, wildlife and tourism, so our vision for greater freedom and rights for people will take into account the need to safeguard habitats and heritage sites.

“Improving public access will enrich people’s enjoyment and understanding of the varied seaside landscapes and environments round
the country.”

Ministers favour a strip allowing access on foot along the full length of the coast, as well as access to headland, coves and beaches, so that a continuous route will always be available as close to the coast as possible.

Mark Weston, BHS director of access, safety and welfare, said: “It is extremely disappointing that Natural England’s recommendations only relate to providing access on foot, despite the Equestrian Access Forum, the Ramblers, the Cyclists Touring Club, the Central Council of Physical Recreation, the British Canoe Union and the British Mountaineering Council having written to Natural England and the minister for the Horse Industry, Barry Gardiner MP, urging the Government to take this opportunity to provide access to a coastal corridor for all non-motorised users.

The Household Cavalry regularly trains and exercises its horses on Holkham Beach.

“The Government is anticipating spending £50 million implementing these access plans and it is ridiculous that an investment of this amount will only provide access for walkers when it could easily provide access for equestrians and cyclists at the same time, representing much better value for tax payers’ money.”

The Norfolk coast is a prime example of a coastline that isn’t easily accessible to riders.

There are certain beaches that are well-known as good places for horse riding, such as Holkham and Holme-Next-the-Sea, but the majority are inaccessible to anyone other than walkers.

A prime example is the Norfolk Coast Path, which runs from Hunstanton to Cromer and is a continuation of Peddar’s Way. The way was first discussed as a possible long distance route in the 1960s, as part of a vision for a lengthy series of routes along ancient trackways across southeast England.

There are well-known beaches along the Norfolk coast that have been used for scenic rides and exercise for a long time. This photograph was taken on Great Yarmouth seafront in 1959.

The route, which follows along the Roman road, was thought to be too short for a National Trail in its own right and so was combined with the Norfolk Coast Path and opened in 1986.

Although the majority of Peddar’s Way is accessible to riders, the coastal path is not, due to the natural formation of the coastline. The Norfolk County Council-owned Weavers’ Way is also inaccessible to riders apart from a small section along a disused railway line near North Walsham. The path starts at Cromer and goes down to Great Yarmouth, although it doesn’t actually run along the coast apart from at the very beginning and end. This makes the possibility of an expansion to the Access All Areas plan extremely important for Norfolk riders.

Mr Weston concluded: “I would urge all equestrians to respond to this consultation document and to contact their MP and ask them to support plans for allowing access to the coast for all non-motorised users.”