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National coastal tourism strategy urged
The government has been urged to introduce a national coastal tourism strategy in a critical report into the state of English seaside towns
The Coastal Towns report by the Communities and Local Government Committee into the state of England’s seaside communities states that tourism still has an important part to play for many coastal towns.
But MPs want to see more done by the government to promote visits to the English seaside and to consider introducing a national coastal tourism strategy, along similar lines to that recently introduced in Wales.
The report concludes that the government is failing to meet the needs of coastal communities and called for greater understanding and appreciation of the issues faced by communities by the sea.
The committee was shocked by the lack of awareness the Department of Work and Pensions appeared to have about the significant levels of seasonal work found in many coastal towns which is more than double that of other areas.
Other issues identified are the physical isolation of seaside towns, deprivation levels, the inward migration of older people, high levels of transience, the outward migration of young people, housing shortages and poorly managed housing, imbalances in the coastal economy, and the environmental challenge of coastal erosion and flooding risk.
The lack of affordable housing in many coastal communities was another concern.
Committee chair Dr Phyllis Starkey MP said: “We were disappointed to find that the government has conducted no research into the situation of coastal towns in recent years, nor did we receive any evidence demonstrating that there was any action or liaison between departments specifically on coastal towns.”
“If the needs of coastal towns are to be met then Government departments must develop an understanding of the particular issues facing these communities and work together to address the broad range of shared challenges they face.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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