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The England Coast Path

Natural England has started work developing the England Coast Path – a new long- distance trail that will eventually allow people to walk around the whole English coast.

The England Coast Path is possible because of the and pubs through increased visitor spending where Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. additional visits are made.

As well as a long-distance walking route, there will often be areas of ‘spreading room’ beside the route What’s happening in Somerset? where people can explore, relax and admire the view. The Somerset coast has been chosen as the location The Act also means that for the first time, where for one of the first stretches of the England Coast existing footpaths erode into the sea, a replacement Path, from Minehead to Brean Down (see map route can be quickly put in place – securing people’s overleaf). Work to extend the path to adjoining right to walk around the coast forever. stretches of the Somerset coast will follow.

The new path will avoid certain areas such as Natural England is working closely with officers private houses and gardens, major ports and from Somerset County Council, who are providing sensitive conservation areas. expert local advice and helping to ensure there is full consultation with local interests during the Opening up many miles of coastline for all to enjoy development of the route. will help support local services like shops, hotels

www.naturalengland.org.uk/coastalaccess WESTON-SUPER-MARE Extent of stretch Minehead to B road Minor road Brean Down Brean Down Railway & station Stretch Uphill 0 5km

A370 Brean

BRIDGWATER BAY Brent Knoll

Burnham-on-Sea

South Highbridge W oast est C Path Stert Hinkley Point Point Minehead Power Station Blue Anchor Bay A38 Huntspill

t t Dunster Watchet re ar Kilve r P M5 ill Stogursey ive Pawlett Av R r A39 e Puriton iv Carhampton R Holford Combwich West Somerset Dunball A396 railway Nether Washford Williton Stowey Cannington A39 A358 A39

Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. Cc rown copyright and database right 2011. All rights reserved. Natural England OS licence number 100022021 Crowcombe BRIDGWATER A372

Getting involved stage. Owners and occupiers of the affected land will also be able to make formal objections, which Local people will be fully consulted about our will be considered by an independent inspector. proposals before each new stretch of path is put in The Secretary of State will make a decision after all place. There are 3 main stages to this process. representations and objections have been considered. “Walking the course” Initially, we will write to land owners along the stretch to arrange a suitable time to visit their land When will the new coast path be ready? and discuss the available options. We call these After the Secretary of State has approved a new visits “walking the course”. stretch of the path, any new infrastructure that is We will also use our contacts to alert other people needed - such as gates and signs - will be installed. with a legal interest in the affected land - such as Once these preparations are complete, the public farm tenants and people with shooting interests – will be able to use the new stretch of path and to the consultation process and to encourage them adjoining spreading room by right. to contact us at this early stage. This will happen in stages. In Somerset, it will start “Walking the course” between Minehead and Brean with the Minehead to Brean Down stretch, which Down will commence during the winter 2011/2012. we expect to be ready in late 2014.

Public consultation When we have looked carefully at all the options Find out more we will publish draft proposals for the stretch on Check our website for the most up-to-date our website and advertise them locally. Anyone will information about progress in Somerset and be able to comment on the draft proposals. The on other parts of the English coast, including consultation will last for 12 weeks. contact details for the Somerset project team: Report to the Secretary of State www.naturalengland.org.uk/coastalaccess Once we have considered all the comments carefully Further information about coastal access in we will submit a report to the Secretary of State setting Somerset can be found by visiting the Somerset out our proposals for the stretch. Any person will be County Council website: able to make representations about the report at this www.somerset.gov.uk/rightsofway