Natural England

Natural England has welcomed Rt. Hon Hilary Benn MP’s announcements at the Labour Party Conference that the government will legislate for the right of access to the English coast and introduce a climate change adaptation package to the Climate Change Bill.

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England, said: “Our vision is for clear, well managed public access along the entire 4,500 km length of England’s coast to deliver real benefits for coastal communities, visitors and wildlife.

“Today’s announcement by the Secretary of State offers the historic prospect of turning this vision into reality.

“We hope the Government will now urgently bring forward a Marine Bill to deliver access for people to our coastal landscapes alongside much-needed better protection for our precious marine environment.”

Sir Martin continued, “The Secretary of State’s announcement of an Adaptation Plan for people and wildlife is timely. Adaptation is the Cinderella of the climate change debate.

“We are locked into fifty years of climate change and we need a clear national framework for action on adaptation to match the emissions reduction targets in the Climate Change Bill.”