Coastal Access In England
A qualitative and quantitative study Ipsos conducted on behalf of Natural England (formerly the Countryside Agency) shows that the coast plays a fundamental role in the English sense of identity. Indeed, around seven in ten English residents (72%) have visited England's coast in the past year.
People spontaneously believe they have a right to access the coast. Yet awareness of the current system of permissive access is extremely low, especially among those who do not live close to or regularly visit the coast.
While access in the areas surveyed is perceived to be good, there is scope to improve coastal access. Suggested improvements involved clarity over people's legal rights, educating the country as to its rights, improving visual clues as to where access is granted or prohibited, ensuring current facilities along the coast (e.g. toilets and paths) are maintained, and more accessible transport options that do not always rely on having a car.
Technical details
In the qualitative research, Ipsos conducted a total of eight group discussions with coastal residents, nine depth interviews with those working in the tourist trade and 39 accompanied interviews with coastal visitors as they used the coast. Research was conducted in four study areas -- North Devon, Exmoor and West Somerset; Southern Cumbrian Coast and Morecambe Bay; Durham and Hartlepool; and Suffolk. A further four group discussions were also conducted with potential coastal visitors in Manchester and Bristol.
In the quantitative research, Ipsos interviewed 1,741 adults in England aged 15+ in-home, face-to-face using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing -- hand-held laptops). Fieldwork was carried out 8 to 12 June 2007 and data are weighted to the national population profile. Where results do not sum to 100 per cent, this is due to computer rounding.
