4. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government: The Wales Coast Path

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:10 pm on 14 May 2019.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Hannah Blythyn Hannah Blythyn Labour 4:10, 14 May 2019

Llywydd, I think, in future, when we want to create marketing adverts for the Wales coast path, we should just ask Members in this Chamber to talk about their favourite areas. I'm sure we all have a favourite and we all have areas we've not been to yet, which we'd really like to go to. But I think the contributions so far show how valued a natural asset it is for all of us, as the only nation, indeed, as Dai Lloyd said, that can boast having a coast path that covers magnificent stretches. I remember many years ago, when I was working outside of Wales, people there would come up to me and talk about the Wales coast path; they were going there on holiday and I'd tell them about different places that they could visit as well. So, it shows the vision and the reach that we have to build on there.

The Member is absolutely right in terms of the work that Ramblers Cymru are doing in promoting walking, for a lot of people as an accessible way to keep fit and to boost their health, and where you can do as little or as much as you want. And it's right that we're looking at these new circular routes and shorter routes so that people can—you know, to make it open to as many people as possible.

On the points the Member made in terms of it not just being about conserving our natural environment—and, as you know, we want more people to enjoy the coast path, but it's absolutely right to strike that balance between conservation and promotion, to make sure we maintain our natural assets, but also there's also the aspect of the environment in terms of, actually, how we deal with things that are very high in public consciousness, such as plastic pollution and littering, so the role that some of the other initiatives we're taking across Government, as part of Refill Cymru, can play in that as well.

In terms of looking at our cultural environment, one of the things we're looking at, building on these new circular routes or different routes, is, actually, to focus on different areas, not in terms of geographical areas, but culture and heritage. As we take that forward, there might be something that the Member would want me to share information with him on and for you to be able to input into that, as we take it forward as well.

In terms of cycling, I confess I am a keen but somewhat lapsed cyclist at the moment, given that it's difficult, often, to find the time. I keep thinking, 'Oh, in the next recess, I'll get out for a long bike ride' and it keeps going back to the next and the one after that. But one of the things, following the written statement on access, that we'll look at is how we can better use multi-use passes for activities like cycling and also horse riding as well.