PRIVATE beaches and stretches of shoreline currently closed to the public are to be opened up to walkers under government plans to extend the “right to roam”, write Jon Ungoed-Thomas and Anna Hodgekiss.

Alun Michael, the rural affairs minister, is proposing that the right should be applied to the 3,180 miles of coastline in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The plan is likely to be opposed by some landowners.

The right to roam in England and Wales was introduced last September and has been hailed as a success.

“The right to roam has gone very well and we are very keen to improve access to the coastline,” said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The right to roam along the coastline is set to be introduced in Wales in 2008-9. Defra is planning a similar measure in England, but says it will require widespread consultation.

About 1,700 miles of shoreline are owned by the Crown Estate. Large stretches are owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, the Duchy of Lancaster, the National Trust and the Ministry of Defence. The National Trust said it would welcome the change.

Some landowners are unlikely to be so accommodating. Hotels and residential developments often use a private beach as a selling point.

The Ministry of Defence owns more than 140 coastal sites. Many would, however, remain out of bounds for security or safety reasons.

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