Defra has appointed Wednesday 4 February 2026 as the date the access preparation period ends for land designated as coastal margin between South Hayling and East Head. The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (South Hayling to East Head) Order 2026 was made on 29 January and comes into force on 30 January under section 3A(10) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. From the appointed day, statutory access rights apply to the coastal margin for this stretch, subject to exclusions and restrictions set in law. (legislation.gov.uk)
The Order implements earlier Secretary of State approvals of Natural England’s proposals for this stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path: length SHE4 was approved on 9 July 2020 and lengths SHE1, SHE2, SHE3 and SHE5 on 16 July 2024 under section 52 of the 1949 Act. The approved route covers about 36 miles across Hampshire and West Sussex between Hayling Island and East Head. (gov.uk)
In policy terms, ‘coastal margin’ is the strip of land associated with the England Coast Path, including all land seaward of the trail and any areas identified as ‘spreading room’. Much of this land becomes open access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, while excepted land and any site‑specific restrictions set by the relevant authority continue to limit access where necessary. (gov.uk)
Ending the access preparation period means the general right of access to the coastal margin under section 2 of the 2000 Act takes effect for this stretch. Until that date the land is not legally treated as coastal margin; once it has passed, the route and adjoining spreading room are brought into use after establishment works such as signs and gates installed by access authorities. (legislation.gov.uk)
For landowners and managers, most day‑to‑day operations can continue. Liability to the public is reduced for natural and man‑made features within the coastal margin, and the national list of restrictions continues to apply-for example, no camping or cycling unless by separate permission. Dogs must be under effective control, with leads expected near livestock and where local restrictions apply. (gov.uk)
This section sits alongside other recent coastal access milestones locally. East Head to Shoreham opened to the public on 18 October 2023, while the Portsmouth to South Hayling stretch completed its access preparation period on 12 November 2025 by separate Order. South Hayling to East Head has been at Stage 5-approved, with establishment works underway-pending today’s appointment of the end date. (gov.uk)
Ahead of 4 February, access authorities in Hampshire and West Sussex are expected to complete remaining signage and any infrastructure agreed with occupiers. Land managers should review site notices, consider any need for time‑limited directions on safety or land management grounds, and check mapping for local restrictions once published. Visitors should consult the online access maps before setting out. (gov.uk)
The legal foundation for this section remains Natural England’s 2019 reports submitted under sections 51 and 55A of the 1949 Act, alongside the Secretary of State’s section 52 decision notices published on GOV.UK. Those documents set the approved route and any roll‑back provisions, which the new Order now brings into legal effect from the appointed day. (gov.uk)