Nearly 30 million walks demonstrates huge popularity of England's coastal paths
|
Visitors spent £350 million in local economies supporting 5,900
full-time equivalent jobs. 97% of people walking on England’s
coastal paths felt revitalised from their visit. As families
across the country embark on a traditional Boxing Day walk, new
figures out today (26 December) reveal the huge popularity of
England’s coastal paths, with 29.1 million walking trips made over
a six-month period, boosting local economies and bringing health
and...Request free trial
As families across the country embark on a
traditional Boxing Day walk, new figures out today (26 December)
reveal the huge popularity of England’s coastal paths, with 29.1
million walking trips made over a six-month period, boosting
local economies and bringing health and wellbeing benefits to
visitors.
The never-before-released data was collected
by Natural England – the government’s adviser on the natural
environment. It shows the significant value of coastal walking
for health and wellbeing, with 97% of people feeling refreshed
and revitalised as a result of their visit.
The data also revealed that visits boosted the
economy by £350 million, with day-trippers spending on average
£8.65 per day in coastal shops and overnight visitors spending on
average £36.73. This supported more than 5,900 full-time
equivalent jobs along the English coast.
Natural England is currently establishing a
2,700-mile path around the entire English coastline. Walkers will
be able to enjoy, explore and experience some of our finest and
most important cultural and natural heritage – from the white
cliffs of Dover, to the industrial heritage of the North East.
When completed, the England Coast Path will be the longest
continuous coastal walking route in the world.
Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers
said:
“The popularity of the English coast is
fantastic news for the millions of people who visit, work and
live along it, and there is no better way to relax and enjoy the
natural environment than by walking along our beautiful
shores.
“We are committed through our 25 Year
Environment Plan to encourage more people to connect with nature,
and I encourage everyone who can to get outside during the
festive period to enjoy the outdoors.”
Natural England Chair Tony Juniper
said:
“England’s wonderful coastline is a national
treasure. This research reveals how the coast brings people
closer to our magnificent wildlife, contributes to local
economies while promoting our health and wellbeing.
“Our flagship England Coast Path is taking
people through some of the finest and most important landscapes
in England, opening up access to historic landmarks, natural
wonders and breath-taking scenery, enabling more visitors to
experience, recognise and value the benefits of our
environment.”
Hilary McGrady, Director General of the
National Trust, said:
“As a nation of islanders, our coastline holds
a special place in many of our hearts. We know that people seek
out coastal places – to experience the beautiful landscape, as
somewhere peaceful to pause, or simply to spend time with family
and friends. The National Trust’s long running work to protect
our coast has given us a deep insight into the benefits that
spending time by the sea can bring.
“We welcome the findings of this research,
which emphasise the importance of caring for the coast and making
sure it is rich in natural beauty and cultural significance,
where both nature and people can flourish.”
Gemma Cantelo, Head of Policy and
Advocacy for the Ramblers, said:
“There’s something really special about
walking near the sea and it’s wonderful to see that England’s
coastal paths have a place in the hearts of millions of walkers.
We’re immensely proud of our dedicated volunteers who have worked
tirelessly to support Natural England’s fantastic work.
“At a time when we’re facing a climate
emergency, rising obesity levels and a mental health crisis, this
report highlights the difference National Trails can make in
enabling more people to connect to nature and enjoy the physical
and mental health benefits of walking our beautiful coastline, as
well as the significant economic boost they bring to local
communities. This important report once again demonstrates that
investment in walking is money well-spent.”
Today’s study, which collected data from July
2017 and January 2018, will provide a baseline to help evaluate
the benefits of English coast paths to local economies and
communities..
Once complete, the England Coast
Path will
become a National Trail – the nation’s finest and most popular
long-distance paths. It will be a continuous,
easy-to-follow, well-maintained walking route which is being
carefully designed to help with managing recreation alongside
other land uses.
The work connects long-established national
trails such as the 630-mile South West Coast Path with new
sections such as the 58-mile stretch between Minehead and Brean
Down in Somerset. The most recent part of the path opened in
September 2019, increasing access to the Tees Valley coastline
with a 10-mile
route from Newport Bridge to North
Gare.
ENDS
Notes to editors
A full copy of the report can be found here
- http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6476962745024512?category=50007
The number of visits to the path were
estimated using data from: automatic people counters (managed by
Natural England); a survey of 2,000 people walking on English
coastal paths conducted for the purpose of the study; and counts
of visits made during the survey.
The data was collected through a survey
undertaken between July 2017 and January 2018 at 32 locations on
coastal paths around England. The locations used for the survey
were selected to represent the diversity in English coastal paths
and their use.
You can find photos and broadcast-quality
drone footage of the England Coast Path here - https://shwca.se/CoastPath
The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 places
a duty on the Secretary of State and Natural England to secure a
long distance walking trail around the open coast of England,
together with public access rights to a wider area of land along
the way for people to enjoy.
Natural England is working on the entire
coastal route, with new sections also opened in Cumbria, Norfolk,
Dorset, Kent, Somerset, Yorkshire, Northumberland, North
Tyneside, South Tyneside and Lincolnshire.
The England Coast Path will be our longest,
newest and most challenging National Trail, passing through some
of our finest countryside and coastal locations.
It will secure legal rights of public access
for the first time to typical coastal land including foreshore,
beaches, dunes and cliffs.
This report comes near the end of the Year of
Green Action 2019, where we have been encouraging people to make
pledges to take action to enhance, protect and engage with
nature. Environmental volunteering opportunities and ideas of how
to connect with nature can be found at www.yearofgreenaction.org.
|