Coastal access: order for the Isle of Wight under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
Sought views on whether an order should be made under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to apply to the coast of the Isle of Wight.
Part 9 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 makes provision for a long-distance coastal route for the whole of the English coast, along with a right of access to a margin of land associated with the route for the purpose of open-air recreation. These provisions do not automatically apply to an island such as the Isle of Wight which cannot be reached directly on foot from the mainland.
The Government may however make an order under section 300(2)(b) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 so that the provisions under that Act apply in relation to the coast of the Isle of Wight. The consultation sought your views on whether or not the Government should make such an order.