Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they still intend to ensure that the King Charles III England Coast Path is fully walkable by the end of 2024 and, if not, whether they have a revised timetable for delivery.

Unfortunately, the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) will not be fully walkable by the end of 2024. However, by the end of December 2024 up to 62% of the KCIIIECP will be completed, along with the wider coastal access rights between the path and mean low water (coastal margin), and provision to roll back the trail with an eroding coast and reduced occupiers’ liability towards the public that the KCIIIECP provides.

This will result in 95% of the English coast being walkable through a combination of completed KCIIIECP / coastal access rights (as above), public rights of way and de facto access.

Work continues on the KCIIIECP, with another 57 miles opening this week in Lincolnshire and more commencements planned this year. 1251 miles are now open and available for public use, with works taking place on another 1144 miles. Less than 300 miles are yet to be approved.

We are working at pace to ensure completion as soon as possible. We will develop a revised timetable with Natural England for 2025/2026 to determine when all 2700 miles of the KCIIIECP will be complete and open to public access.