In July this year I announced that I had asked the Natural England Board to come forward with its recommendations on coastal access to the Government before the end of December.

I met the chair and chief executive of Natural England last week and following the meeting I have asked the Natural England Board to do some further work in order to finalise its advice. I have now agreed that the board should come forward with its final advice and recommendations on coastal access by end February 2007. As a result I would expect that there will be a delay in the issue of the public consultation document from the previous date that I have announced of early 2007.