The Houses of Parliament: more than 400 hopefuls say they will support the coastal path. Photo: Maurice

More than 400 would-be MPs have pledged to support the setting up of an all-England coastal path if elected.

The parliamentary candidates lent their names to the Ramblers’ ‘walking manifesto’ which, among other things, contains the commitment to deliver coastal access in England as quickly as possible after the election.

The measures were passed by Parliament in the Marine and Coastal Access Act last November but, with public finances almost certain to be squeezed by whatever administration takes power after the 6 May poll, there are worries the coast path will be put on the back burner.

The manifesto says, among other things: ‘We want to see delivery of the coastal route, which became law last November, as fast as possible’, in line with Natural England’s 10-year timetable.

The Ramblers asked every Westminster candidate to support its document in support of walkers’ issues. One in five of all those standing in parliamentary elections have made the public commitment to support the measures. With nominations now closed, the largest supporters of the walkers’ manifesto are those in the Green Party, with 138 backing the move.

Next come the Liberal Democrats with 128, then Labour with 85 pledging support; 63 Conservative candidates have signed up, along with 19 Scottish National Party members, five Ukip hopefuls, five from Plaid Cymru and one Democratic Unionist – its leader Peter Robinson, plus one independent candidate.

Justin Cooke, Ramblers coastal access campaigner, said: “That so many candidates have signed up to quickly deliver coastal access – in line with Natural England’s ten year timescale – demonstrates the universal support that walking and access enjoys.

“We particularly welcome the cross-party support for access to our coastline.”

The Ramblers said that currently nearly 50 per cent of the English coast has no public right of way, and that Natural England research shows the public can only walk an average 1.9 miles on the coast on a ‘secure or satisfactory path’. The organisation said the path is expected to bring unprecedented access to millions and vitally boost the rural economy.