Coastwalk

Failed again

November's finished and I've not managed to squeeze in a coastwalk. I've done at least one in every other month this year, so I've come nearer to my goal than ever before but not quite made it.

Oh well. There's always next year.

Comment

Dependent

With three major road bridges out of action, it's clear this weekend's floods have made a substantial impact on travel in west Cumbria. But does the media really need to hype it to the extent they are?

There's a lot of focus on "a two minute journey that now takes ninety minutes" from Seaton to Workington via the head of Bassenthwaite Lake. There's no doubt that there's a lot of inconvenience, but does no-one walk or take the train anymore? Are people so set in their ways that they can't adjust their lives to suit?

The railway across the river is still running, and Maryport makes a good alternative for those on the north bank who'd normally use Workington for supplies. It's difficult to be sure, but I've yet to see any information about the footbridge over the Derwent at the Port of Workington - presumably that's still open.

I guess it's not such an interesting story though: "two minute drive now a ten minute walk".

This dependence on the car needs to stop.

Coastwalk

La Reyne le veult

Today the Marine and Coastal Access Bill was given Royal Assent and has become an Act of Parliament. I'm looking forward to reading the whole thing, but the really good news is right there in the objectives:

to make provision for and in connection with the establishment of an English coastal walking route and of rights of access to land near the English coast; to enable the making of Assembly Measures in relation to Welsh coastal routes for recreational journeys and rights of access to land near the Welsh coast

So with the legal framework in place, we can look forward to so many of the gaps I've come across being plugged. Natural England have a great set of maps showing the gaps in the current coast path. The thought that these will all be filled in makes me want to start the whole coast walk again.

But maybe it's too early to celebrate. The Country Land and Business Association are determined to fight its implementation, as are the NFU.

The Queen may will the act, but will the people? Let's hope so. In the meantime, anyone up for a walk? I still have 5,000 miles to go.