[BF Newsroom]

The public is being consulted on plans to open up the whole of the English coastline to walkers.

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[Farnboro John]

This is complete b******ks. The only people in Briatin who might "need" access to the whole coast are those trying to walk round the whole distance - a very limited crop I should think. There are many totally legitimate reasons why various stretches should be closed, from tank gunnery ranges to rare breeding birds to, straightforwardly, private ownership!

Does anyone really think removing the Admiralty compound at Portland would improve the breeding success of birds on that stretch of clifftop?

Does it really matter that the South-west Coast Path diverts inland occasionally? No of course it doesn't. And the next thing will be "oh, it must be access for all" so there will be wheelchair friendly tarmac paths all round and a little more wilderness will have disappeared and access for vandals too lazy to get into the country under their own steam will have been facilitated.

Horse***p.

John

[citrinella]

Originally Posted by Farnboro John

There are many totally legitimate reasons why various stretches should be closed, from ... to rare breeding birds

I agree with John but think we need to take a far broader view.

Let's start by substituting "wildlife" for "birds".

Then ask why "rare" or "breeding".

Any species dependent on coastal habitat for an important part of it's ecology that is susceptible to human pressure could be vulnerable. We should take measures to protect sizeable, linked up, areas of all habitats. Too often we don't see what damage we are doing till it is done.

Yes, we have access rights in Scotland. Personally I believe they are creating problems for certain species (e.g. Golden Eagle). We are in the fortunate position that our population is less dense, yet hardly a hill in the highlands is undisturbed at certain times of year and all the "listed" ones (not just Munros), at almost any time of year. In the populous parts of England what will the pressure be like ?

Mike.