Call to protect landowners

The government must put in place "concrete safeguards" to protect landowners from right-to-roam plans for the coastline, MPs have said.

The draft Marine Bill includes proposals to improve routes for walkers around England's coast and would add around 1,400 miles of new or improved coastal paths.

In a report published on Tuesday, the Commons environment, food and rural affairs committee called for safeguards for businesses, farmers and coastal landowners.

It described as a "fundamental weakness" the lack of an independent appeals process for landowners objecting to the route.

And while it acknowledged the economic, health and social benefits of increased coastal visits, it claimed that the Bill did not balance the rights of public and private landowners.

Committee's chairman Michael Jack said: "The government must look again at the question of appeals and compensation if this Bill is to command widespread landowners' confidence."

He added: "Long-term success of the coastal pathway will not be realised unless the government also reviews the resources available for the measure, especially when it comes to the question of who will pay for the maintenance of the pathway."

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the government would "consider [the committee's] views carefully while reviewing the draft bill".