Envisioning a new trail along the east coast of England could transform access to nature for local residents. A recent report revealed that the vast farmland in this area limits residents’ access to natural spaces. Restricted access is particularly problematic in counties such as Lincolnshire, where requests for recognition of historic rights of way are pending. The creation of a national trail could therefore not only offer a concrete solution to this disparity in access but also encourage local initiatives in favor of nature and community well-being.
A conservative think tank proposes the creation of a new trail along the east coast of England to allow better access to nature. In some rural areas, rights of way are common, but in eastern England, access is limited due to vast areas of high-quality farmland and a backlog of requests for the recognition of unrecorded historic rights of way. According to green space measures, 50% of local authorities with the least access to nature are located in eastern England. A new “North Sea national trail” would cross the Wolds of Lincolnshire and Norfolk. The creation of this trail would address the lack of access to nature for nearly a third of English people, particularly ethnic minorities and young people in disadvantaged areas. The project is also presented as a cost-effective solution for improving public health, with potentially huge savings on healthcare costs due to increased access to nature. Incentives for farmers to give up small portions of land for these rights of way are also suggested.
proposal for a new trail on the east coast of England
A new trail could emerge along the east coast of England. Indeed, a conservative think tank has pointed out that farmland prevents residents of this area from fully accessing nature. Many rural areas benefit from extensive networks of rights of way, but in eastern England, some areas hardly allow for walks in nature due to the expanse of high-quality farmland. The Lincolnshire area, for example, faces a significant backlog for the recognition of unrecorded historic rights of way with over 450 requests pending.
the importance of access to nature
According to parameters created by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Wildlife and Countryside Link association, half of the local authorities among the 10% with the worst access to nature are found in eastern England. This region is particularly concerned as a third of the population has no direct connection to nearby natural spaces. For people from ethnic minorities, young individuals, and those living in poorer areas, access to green spaces is even more limited.
solutions to improve access to nature
The government is currently working on a review of the 41,000 miles of historic but unrecorded rights of way. The goal is to rectify this injustice right now. To improve access, a new North Sea national trail could emerge, running from Humber across the Wolds of Lincolnshire, then north through Norfolk to Norwich. Another way to strengthen this access is to work cooperatively with farmers to give up a small portion of their land, thereby facilitating the creation of new paths. Post-Brexit environmental management programs, which pay farmers for public goods, could be used as leverage to achieve this goal.
