Places features

Dorset already has some of the most accessible stretches of coastline in the UK. The 630 mile South West Coast Path which starts at Studland means there's already a good network of paths in place. But under new proposals the route could become part of a national trail to follow Britain's entire coastline.

South West coast path sign

The idea is still in its early stages. The plan, which is similar to the Right to Roam legislation of 2000, is outlined in section 9 of the Marine Bill which has yet to go through parliament.      

Under the plan, discussion would begin between landowners and other interested groups to open up stretches of coast which are currently inaccessible to the public and work out the best possible route.

One such stretch could be along the shores of Poole Harbour where businesses and home-owners back directly onto the water.

Neil Constable from the government agency Natural England said: "We need to judge each case on its merits and talk to local people about the best route... we're not going through people’s gardens."

Landslips

Another area of current difficulty which this legislation could sort out is in places where the land has fallen into the sea.

There could be access issues in Poole Harbour

It took months to re-open the coast path at Charmouth after a major landslip because Natural England wanted to ensure that the path's new route could stay in place for many years to come. That took considerable negotiation with landowners.

Sadly that path quickly closed again following another slippage to the east of the village in February 2008.

The new law could quickly establish a new route to ensure walkers are not forced onto the roads. 

The coastal access section of the Marine Bill is still in its early stages and the details of exactly how to open up the coastline have yet to be worked out. 

Once in place, those who currently enjoy strolling along the 84 miles of the South West coast path in Dorset could find themselves able to walk considerably further.