Littlehampton to Ferring England Coast Path: East Head to Shoreham by Sea - Natural England’S Proposals

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Chapter 5: Littlehampton to Ferring England Coast Path: East Head to Shoreham by Sea - Natural England’s Proposals

Part 5.1: Introduction

Start Point: Littlehampton Harbour Footbridge (grid reference: 502187 102132) End Point: At the junction of the eastern end of Patterson’s Walk with the southern end of Sea Lane, Ferring (grid reference: 510007 101554) Relevant Maps: 5a to 5e

Understanding the proposals and accompanying maps:

The Trail:

5.1.1 Follows existing walked routes, including public rights of way, along most of this length.

5.1.2 Follows the coastline quite closely and maintains good views of the sea.

5.1.3 Includes three sections of new path at Rustington, East Preston and Ferring. See maps 5b, 5c and 5e and associated tables below for details.

5.1.4 Is aligned on the beach at three locations at Rustington, East Preston and Ferring.

Protection of sensitive features:

5.1.5 This part of the coast does not include any sites designated for nature conservation or heritage preservation (See map C of the Overview).

See part 6b of the Overview - ‘Protection of sensitive features’ for a description of our overall approach and a summary of our conclusions

Accessibility:

5.1.6 There are few artificial barriers to accessibility on the proposed route, which makes use of existing surface paths wherever these meet the criteria in the Coastal Access Scheme.

England Coast Path | East Head to Shoreham by Sea | Natural England’s Proposals However, there are places where it may not be entirely suitable for people with reduced mobility because:

 The trail would be aligned over unconsolidated shingle.

 There are steps on the existing public right of way (EHS-5-S058, map 5c).

5.1.7 At Kingston Gorse, the existing kissing gates at sections EHS-5-S064 and EHS-5-S065 will be removed by the landowner, so as to make the trail easier to use. We envisage this happening before the new access rights come into force.

See part 6a of the Overview - ‘Recreational issues’ - for more information.

Where we have proposed exercising our discretion:

The discretions referred to below are explained in more detail in Part 5b of the Overview.

5.1.8 Estuary: This report proposes that the trail should include a route around the estuary of the River Arun, extending upstream from the open coast as far as Littlehampton Harbour Footbridge, which is the first public foot crossing point over the river. See part 5 of the Overview. The trail covered by this chapter includes part of this estuary route.

5.1.9 Landward boundary of the coastal margin: We have used our discretion on some sections of the route to map the landward extent of the coastal margin to an adjacent physical boundary such as a fence line, pavement or track to make the extent of the new access rights clearer. See Table 5.2.1 below.

See also part 3 of the Overview - ‘Understanding the proposals and accompanying maps’, for an explanation of the default extent of the coastal margin and how we may use our discretion to adjust the margin, either to add land or to provide clarity. See also Annex C of the Overview - ‘Excepted land categories’.

5.1.10 Restrictions and exclusions: No directions to restrict or exclude access are proposed on this length of coast. However, access rights to the spreading room would be subject to the national restrictions on coastal access rights listed in Annex D of the Overview. These restrictions would not apply to public rights of way.

See part 10 of the Overview - ‘Restrictions and exclusions’ - for details.

5.1.11 Alternative routes: An optional alternative route between EHS- 5-S056 and EHS-5-S057 is to operate at times when access to the ordinary route is affected by high tides. The optional alternative route would follow route section(s) EHS-5-A001 to EHS-5-A003 as shown on map 5.d. It would not have the effect of creating any additional spreading room on either the seaward or the landward side.

Establishment and ongoing management of the trail

5.1.12 Some physical establishment of the trail would be necessary in accordance with the general approach described in part 7 the Overview. These establishment works will be minor and will include the placement of waymarkers and other signs along the route.

England Coast Path | East Head to Shoreham by Sea | Natural England’s Proposals 5.1.13 There are no additional measures that we consider necessary to improve the safety or convenience of the trail on this length of coast.

5.1.14 Ongoing management and maintenance would be necessary in accordance with the general approach described in part 8 of the Overview.

See parts 7 - ‘Physical establishment of the trail’ and 8 - ‘Maintenance of the trail’ of the Overview for more information.

Future Change:

5.1.15 At the time of preparing the report, we do not foresee any need for future changes to the access provisions proposed for the length of coast described in this chapter.

See parts 6e - ‘Coastal processes’ and 9 - ‘Future changes’ of the Overview for more information.

England Coast Path | East Head to Shoreham by Sea | Natural England’s Proposals Part 5.2: Commentary on Maps

See Part 3 of Overview for guidance on reading and understanding the tables below

5.2.1 Section Details – Maps 5.a to 5.y: Littlehampton to Ferring

Notes on table: Column 2 – an asterisk (*) against the route section number means see also table 5.2.2: Other options considered. Column 5 – ‘Yes – normal’ means roll-back approach is likely to follow the current feature (e.g. cliff edge/beach) for the foreseeable future. Column 6a - certain specific coastal land types are included automatically in the coastal margin where they fall landward of the trail, or connect indirectly with it by touching another part of the coastal margin that itself touches the foreshore at some point.

1 2 3 4 5 6a 6b 6c 7 Map(s) Route section Current status Current Roll-back Default Landward Reason for Proposed number(s) of this section surface proposed? landward boundary of landward exclusions of this (See coastal margin boundary or section Part 9 of margin? (See maps) discretion restrictions Overview) (see Part 10 of Overview) 5a EHS-5-S001 Public Tarmac No No Bridge railing Clarity and None footpath cohesion EHS-5-S002 Public footway Tarmac No No Pavement edge Clarity and None (pavement) cohesion EHS-5-S003 Public footway Block No No Pavement edge Clarity and None (pavement) paving cohesion EHS-5-S004 Public Block No No Road Clarity and None highway paving cohesion EHS-5-S005 to Public footway Block No No Pavement edge Clarity and None EHS-5-S007 (pavement) paving cohesion EHS-5-S008 Other existing Block No No Edge of alley Clarity and None walked route Paving way cohesion EHS-5-S008 to Other existing Block No Yes - Promenade edge Not used None EHS-5-S013 walked route paving barrier EHS-5-S014 to Other existing Block No Yes- Promenade edge Not used None EHS-5-S018 walked route paving barrier EHS-5-S019 to Other existing Concrete No Yes Promenade edge Not used None EHS-5-S022 walked route -barrier 5a and EHS-5-S023 to Other existing Tarmac No Yes - Promenade edge Not used None 5b EHS-5-S028 walked route barrier 5b EHS-5-S029 to Public Concrete No No Wall Clarity and None EHS-5-S030 footpath cohesion EHS-5-S031 Other existing Stone: No No Wall Clarity and None walked route Flags cohesion EHS-5-S032 to Other existing Shingle No Yes - Landward edge Not used None EHS-5-S033 walked route beach of beach EHS-5-S034 Other existing Concrete No No Landward edge Clarity and None walked route of concrete path cohesion EHS-5-S035 Other existing Grass No No Landward edge Not used None walked route of trail (2m) EHS-5-S036 Other existing Grass No No Landward edge Not used None walked route of trail (2m) EHS-5-S037 Other existing Gravel No No Landward edge Not used None walked route of trail (2m) EHS-5-S038 Other existing Gravel No No Landward edge Not used None walked route of trail (2m)

England Coast Path | East Head to Shoreham by Sea | Natural England’s Proposals 1 2 3 4 5 6a 6b 6c 7 Map(s) Route section Current status Current Roll-back Default Landward Reason for Proposed number(s) of this section surface proposed? landward boundary of landward exclusions of this (See coastal margin boundary or section Part 9 of margin? (See maps) discretion restrictions Overview) (see Part 10 of Overview) 5c EHS-5-S039 Other existing Grass No No Landward edge Not used None walked route of trail (2m) EHS-5-S040 to Other existing Grass No No Landward edge Clarity and None EHS-5-S044 walked route of greensward cohesion 5c and EHS-5-S045 to Other existing Shingle No Yes - Landward edge Not used None 5d EHS-5-S057 walked route beach of beach 5d EHS-5-S058 Public Tarmac No No Landward edge Clarity and None footpath of car park cohesion EHS-5-S059 to Public Concrete No No Pavement edge Clarity and None EHS-5-S060 footpath cohesion EHS-5-S061 to Public Grass No No Landward edge Not used None EHS-5-S063 footpath of trail (2m) 5e EHS-5-S064 Public Gravel No No Landward edge Not used None footpath of trail (2m) EHS-5-S065 Public Grass No No Landward edge Not used None footpath of trail (2m) EHS-5-S066 to Other existing Shingle No Yes - Landward edge Not used None EHS-5-S080 walked route beach of beach EHS-5-S081 Other existing Concrete No No Edge of concrete Clarity and None walked route slab cohesion EHS-5-S082 to Other existing Tarmac No No Path edge Clarity and None EHS-5-S087 walked route cohesion

5.2.2 Optional alternative route details – Map 5.b: Beach at East Preston

By default, the optional alternative route will cover the land two metres either side of the approved line for this route. However by virtue of s55D(2) of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, where the optional alternative route follows an existing path corridor, the trail may adopt a variable width as dictated by existing physical features. Columns 6a and 6b of this table describe the boundaries of the alternative route strips.

1 2 3 4 5 6a 6b 6c 7 Map(s) Route Current status Current Roll-back Seaward Landward Reason for Proposed section of this section surface proposed? boundary of boundary of boundary exclusions or number(s) of this (See alternative alternative discretion restrictions section Part 9 of route strip route strip (see Part 10 of Overview) (See maps) Overview) 5d EHS-5-A001 Other existing Gravel No Wall Edge of track Clarity and No walked route cohesion EHS-5-A002 Other existing Tarmac No Seaward edge Landward edge Not used No walked route of trail (2m) of trail (2m) EHS-5-A003 Other existing Tarmac No Seaward edge Landward edge Not used No walked route of trail (2m) of trail (2m)

England Coast Path | East Head to Shoreham by Sea | Natural England’s Proposals 5.2.3 Other options considered: Maps 5.a to 5.e: Littlehampton to Ferring Map(s) Section number(s) Option(s) considered Reasons for not proposing this option as the route 5b and 5c EHS-5-S034 to Between Rustington and We opted for the proposed route because: EHS-5-S044 East Preston, we considered ■ The beach is unconsolidated shingle and is difficult aligning the trail along the to walk on. existing public footpath upon The majority of existing walkers are using the well- the beach. ■ defined informal path upon the greenswards. ■ We concluded that overall the proposed route struck the best balance in terms of the criteria described in chapter 4 of the Coastal Access Scheme. 5c and 5d EHS-5-S045 to At East Preston, we considered We opted for the proposed route because: EHS-5-S057 aligning the trail along Sea ■ It is closer to the sea and maintains views of the sea. Lane, Seaview road and South Strand road. ■ It is more direct and we consider it likely that trail users would use the beach route even if it did not form part of the proposed trail. ■ We concluded that overall the proposed route struck the best balance in terms of the criteria described in chapter 4 of the Coastal Access Scheme. 5e EHS-5-S066 to At Ferring, adjacent to the We opted for the proposed route because: EHS-5-S081 car park at Bluebird Café we ■ It is closer to the sea and maintains views of the sea. considered using the existing public footpaths in this area, ■ We concluded that overall the proposed route struck the best balance in terms of the criteria as shown on the map. described in chapter 4 of the Coastal Access Scheme.

England Coast Path | East Head to Shoreham by Sea | Natural England’s Proposals Part 5.3: Chapter 5 - Formal Proposals

 Below are our formal proposals to the Secretary of State for the length of coast shown on maps 5a to 5e.

 They should be read in conjunction with the relevant maps.

 The commentary above explains the practical effect of these proposals.

Formal Proposals – Littlehampton to Ferring

Discretion to include an estuary

5.3.1 Natural England proposes to exercise its functions as if the sea included the estuarial waters of the River Arun as far as Littlehampton Harbour Footbridge as indicated by the extent of the trail shown on map 5e.

Proposed route of the trail

5.3.2 The route is to be at the centre of the line shown on maps 5.a to 5.e as the proposed route of the trail.

Landward boundary of coastal margin

5.3.3 Adjacent to route section EHS-5-S001, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the landward edge of the bridge shown as the trail on map 5a.

5.3.4 Adjacent to route sections EHS-5-S002 to EHS-5-S003 and EHS-5-S005 to EHS-5-S007, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with landward edge of the pavement as shown as the trail on map 5a.

5.3.5 Adjacent to route section EHS-5-S004, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the landward edge of the road shown as the trail on map 5a.

5.3.6 Adjacent to route section EHS-5-S008, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with landward edge of the alleyway as shown as the trail on map 5a.

5.3.7 Adjacent to route sections EHS-5-S029 to EHS-5-S030, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the wall, which is landward of the public footpath shown as the trail on map 5b.

5.3.8 Adjacent to route section EHS-5-S031, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the wall, which is landward of the existing walked route shown as the trail on map 5b.

5.3.9 Adjacent to route section EHS-5-S034, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with landward edge of the path shown as the trail on map 5b.

5.3.10 Adjacent to route sections EHS-5-S040 to EHS-5-S044, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the landward edge of the greensward, which is landward of the existing walked route shown as the trail on map 5c.

England Coast Path | East Head to Shoreham by Sea | Natural England’s Proposals 5.3.11 Adjacent to route section EHS-5-S058, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the edge of the car park, which is landward of the trail shown on map 5d.

5.3.12 Adjacent to route section EHS-5-S059 and EHS-5-S060, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the landward edge of the path shown as the trail on map 5d.

5.3.13 Adjacent to route section EHS-5-S081, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the edge of the concrete slab, which is landward of the trail shown on map 5e.

5.3.14 Adjacent to route sections EHS-5-S082 to EHS-5-S087, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the landward edge of the path at shown as the trail on map 5e.

Local restrictions and exclusions

5.3.15 At the time of writing this report, there are no proposals for local restrictions or exclusions in relation to this length of coast.

Alternative routes

5.3.16 An optional alternative route is to operate at times when access to route sections EHS-5-S056 to EHS- 5-S057 on the beach at East Preston is affected by high tides. The optional alternative route is to be at the centre of the line shown as route sections EHS-5-A001 to EHS-5-A003 as shown on map 5d.

Landward/seaward boundary of alternative route strip

5.3.17 In relation to route section EHS-5-A001:

 the landward boundary of the optional alternative route strip is to correspond to the edge of the track shown as the trail on map 5d; and

 the seaward boundary of the optional alternative route strip is to correspond to the wall seaward of the line shown as the trail on map 5d.

England Coast Path | East Head to Shoreham by Sea | Natural England’s Proposals #

Coastal Access - East Head to Shoreham - Natural England's Proposals Chapter 5: Littlehampton Harbour to Ferring Map 5a: Littlehampton Footbridge to Swimmng Centre M a

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Metres N © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Natural England Licence No. 100022021 01 This map is intended to be printed in colour at A3 size. × 06 07 Coastal Access - East Head to Shoreham - Natural England's Proposals Chapter 5: Littlehampton Harbour to Ferring Map 5d: East Preston to West Kingston M a

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Explanatory note: coastal margin Part 3 of the Overview to the report explains where the landward boundary of the coastal margin falls by default. Our proposals include any suggested variation of this default boundary. The purple wash on the map indicates where as a result of our proposals the coastal margin would extend significantly to the landward side of the proposed route of the trail. The coastal margin may include some areas where coastal 01 access rights do not apply, either seaward or landward of the proposed route of the trail: the Overview explains more about this. The landward boundary of the coastal margin may in due course move inland, if the trail rolls back under proposals in this report to respond to coastal change. 08 09 Coastal Access - East Head to Shoreham - Natural England's Proposals Chapter 5: Littlehampton Harbour to Ferring Map 5e: West Kingston to Patterson's Walk, Ferring M a PROPOSALS p 0 50 100 200 300 400 Other information 5

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Explanatory note: coastal margin Part 3 of the Overview to the report explains where the landward boundary of the coastal margin falls by EHS-5-S079 default. Our proposals include any suggested variation of this default boundary. The purple wash on the EHS-5-S078 map indicates where as a result of our proposals the coastal margin would extend significantly to the landward side of the proposed route of the trail. The coastal margin may include some areas where coastal access rights do not apply, either seaward or landward of the proposed route of the trail: the Overview explains more about this. The landward boundary of the coastal margin may in due course move inland, if 5 01 the trail rolls back under proposals in this report to respond to coastal change. 09 10