The new coastal path will bring economic benefits to towns, the Ramblers said

The country’s biggest walkers’ charity has welcomed the coalition Government’s announcement of a completion date for the England Coast Path.

The Ramblers said they were overjoyed by the news that extra investment will see the full 3,000 miles (4,830km) of the country’s coastline opened up to the public by 2020.

The campaigning charity said previous timetables had only outlined work on the project up to 2016 and, with fears that progress could stall, there was no date for completion in sight.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s announcement today of an end date was applauded by the Ramblers, who said it was a victory for its pressure on the matter.

The organisation said: “The announcement of greater investment and a speeded-up delivery is warmly welcomed by the Ramblers.

“Throughout its 80-year history, the charity has led the campaign to open up our coastline for everyone to enjoy.

“In 2009, Ramblers won the right to walk along the coast and explore our beautiful beaches but development of the England Coast Path on the ground has been slow. The Ramblers have campaigned for this right to become a reality and fulfil its dream of opening up the coast for all.

The charity’s chief executive Benedict Southworth said: “We’re overjoyed that the Government has recognised the huge public love for our coast and the enormous benefits access to our coastline will bring.

“Investing in the coast path is not just good news for walkers, but will help to breathe new life into our coastal towns and villages, boosting tourism and the local economy and reconnecting people with their stretch of coast, helping to promote health and wellbeing.

“The Ramblers have been the driving force behind the campaign to open up the coast for everyone to enjoy, bringing beaches for kids to play on and cliffs for climbers to clamber up, and we’re thrilled that this dream is soon to become a reality.

“We thank the Government for bringing these benefits to the nation and look forward to walking on the completed England Coast Path.”

Access to England’s coastline was enshrined in the Marine and Coastal Access Act, passed by the last Labour administration, but progress on its implementation has been slow.

Speaking at the RSPB’s state of nature conference, the Deputy Prime Minister announced that additional funding will be put in place so the coast path will be fully complete by 2020.

Nick Clegg said: “At the current rate of progress, we will have built the UK’s first space port before our coastal path is completed. You’ll be able to fly in space before you can walk around our coast.

“I’ve been pushing for this process to be speeded up. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m pleased to announce today that the Government will be ensuring that the path is completed by 2020 by allocating extra funding.”

Dr Cath Flitcroft, access and conservation policy officer at the British Mountaineering Council, said: “This announcement is an important milestone in the Government’s commitment to improving coastal access in England.

“The BMC is delighted by this further promise to roll-out the coastal access programme. This will benefit walkers, as well as climbers who will be able to access England’s world class sea cliff climbing venues in perpetuity.”

“We’ve been campaigning for improved coastal access from the start. What we are interested in is not just the path but the associated spreading room, which allows open access to the seaward side of the coast path including important access to the cliffs and foreshore.”

Walkers in Wales already enjoy access round its coast, as do those in Scotland, under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act.

The Marine and Coastal Access Act also benefits climbers in England and Wales, providing a legal right to use sea cliffs.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, said: “We are delighted that coastal access had been given such a boost. It will be a huge benefit to visitors and residents and it is great news that it is to be completed 10 years earlier than planned.

“However the Government downplays it by calling it a ‘coastal path’. The access is much more than a path, it includes spreading room between the path and the sea and inland to the first boundary, giving people an opportunity to wander freely and enjoy the spectacular landscapes and views.

“In this respect it is superior to the Wales Coastal Path which is just a path.”