MPs are set to get even more stick this week, this time from Britain’s biggest walking charity. The Ramblers has sent a stick of rock emblazoned with the message ‘Coast for most’ to nearly 200 MPs, urging them to back plans for an English coastal path in the Marine and Coastal Access Bill ahead of its second reading in Parliament next week.

All those contacted have expressed their support or interest in a public right of access to the English coast, and the Ramblers is now campaigning to ensure there’s a proper consultation over the route of the proposed coastal trail.

To find out more about the Ramblers’ coastal access campaign, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/freedom

The 360-metre route runs along the old railway line from Cores End Road to Willows Crossing in Bourne End. It will be added to the official map of public rights of way following a public inquiry held in January into the residents’ association’s claim. The inquiry inspector, Mr Mark Yates, ruled that there was evidence that the route was a public right of way.

The applicant needed to show that the route had been used by walkers for 20 years, without being stopped or asking permission. The residents’ association produced such evidence from 153 people for the period 1982 to 2002. The landowner, Mr Charles Pitcher of Lude Farm, Penn, challenged the evidence, claiming that fences had been erected during this period which made it clear that he did not consider it to be a public path. However, the inspector was not convinced that the fence was there during the relevant period, or that it kept people out.

Says Jim Penfold, chairman of the residents’ association: “We are delighted to have won this vital path which, when joined to other dedicated footpaths, links the two villages of Bourne End and Wooburn, enabling people to walk safely between them, away from the roads.”

We are especially grateful to the Ramblers for its invaluable legal and technical advice on claiming paths.”

Kate Ashbrook, Ramblers chairman, comments: “We congratulate the Bourne End Residents’ Association on their persistence. Their application for the path was rejected by Buckinghamshire County Council and they had to appeal to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to direct the council to make the legal order. This was then opposed so there was a public inquiry. The council remained neutral so the residents had to lead the case. It took seven years to win this path.”

For more about the Ramblers’ footpath campaigns, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/rights_of_way