Should access to the coastal lands of Wales be developed through a voluntary or statutory approach? A discussion

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) gives powers to the Secretary of State for England and the National Assembly for Wales to include coastal lands as ‘open country’ and as such provides a right of access. The Countryside Council for Wales considers that access to the coastal lands of Wales should be developed via a voluntary approach. This paper discusses the use and economic impact of recreation and tourism in coastal areas of Wales and compares the voluntary approach proposed by the Countryside Council for Wales against key criteria set down by the Welsh Office for open access. It concludes that coastal land in Wales should be considered as ‘open countryside’, and as such the public should have a right of access to it.