Inequalities in access to blue coastal space: research report

7. Conclusions

Key learnings

This research provides new and timely evidence on inequalities in access to the coast in Scotland. The key findings are summarised below, in relation to the research questions.

How is the coast currently perceived and used by different people/groups?

Findings from the nationally representative and robust KnowledgePanel survey conducted as part of this project (in December 2022) showed that the coast is the most popular type of blue space accessed in Scotland. However, the following groups were significantly less likely on average to access the coast in Scotland:

• Those with a disability or health condition;
• Ethnic minority communities;
• Those living in deprived (SIMD 1/2) urban areas; and
• Young people aged 16-34.

As would be expected, qualitative research carried out among non-users and occasional users of the coast suggested that patterns of usage could change throughout the year, as participants were more likely to visit in the summertime.

Despite not spending much time, if any, at the coast, participants tended to have broadly positive associations with and memories of visiting the coast.

What are the key factors that affect use of the coast amongst different people/ groups (especially those people/groups who do not access the coast to the same extent as others)?

Participants discussed various perceived benefits of visiting the coast, including: mental health benefits, spending time in nature, socialising with friends and family, and physical health benefits. These were often reasons that led people to spend time at the coast, and there was a general desire to go more often.

However, participants mentioned a range of barriers which could make this difficult or unappealing, relating to motivation, capability, social factors and structural/physical challenges.

What policy changes and interventions are needed to facilitate better access to the coast?

Key barriers discussed, as well as potential policy solutions to address these, are summarised below.

1. Improving transport links to the coast

This policy solution would address barriers related to public transport, including reliability of services, timing of services, available routes and journey times.

There was strong support for these measures, particularly among those who relied on public transport to access the coast. There was a desire for extended operating hours, expanded coverage of the network and direct links between beaches.

A potential drawback discussed included longer journey times with more stops, while it was noted that the cost may still be prohibitive, especially for groups.

2. Reducing transport costs

Cost of public transport could be prohibitive and was sometimes the most important barrier. There was therefore strong support for reducing transport costs, particularly among those who relied on public transport to access the coast. There was a desire for discounted travel for families, students and children on public transport.

However, reducing costs was not thought to be a panacea, as it was felt that improvements to the frequency and reliability of public transport were also required.

3. Developing the area along the coast

Developing the area along the coast was seen as a potential way in which to mitigate barriers relating to the physical environment, including: a lack of toilets; lack of cycling infrastructure; anti-social behaviour at the beach; sand or cold or wet weather.

There was particular support for more cycle lanes and lighting (boosting accessibility and safety of coastal areas) as well as more facilities, such as (accessible) toilets, benches/ beach furniture or water fountains to wash off sand. Promenades were seen as important for wheelchair users. Having indoor spaces, like cafes, can help people to shelter from cold or wet weather when necessary.

However, participants were relatively cautious in their support of this policy solution. There was a desire to avoid over-developing the coast and losing connection to nature (particularly at more rural parts of the coastline). There were also concerns raised about beaches becoming too busy or causing social issues through gentrification.

4. Providing more clubs or activities at the coast

More clubs or activities at the coast could help to address social barriers to accessing the coast, such as wanting or needing to visit the coast with company or concerns about stigma at the beach among ethnic minority communities. It could also help to tackle the perception that there is not enough to do at the coast.

There was a positive response to this intervention among participants, although it was seen as a 'nice to have' rather than essential. Specific suggestions of things participants felt would be beneficial included: having a diverse range of activities/clubs; one-off events at the coast; activities to entertain children; activities facilitated by universities, churches and community groups; organised activities catering for specific groups, e.g. disabled people, Muslim women etc.; and having a list of activities at the coast on a single website.

However, possible downsides discussed included concerns about overcrowding and it was acknowledged that not everyone would be able to afford or commit to regular clubs.

5. Ensuring cleaner water/environment at the coast

This policy solution aims to alleviate concerns about cleanliness at the coast, such as littering, overfilled bins, or poor water quality.

There was broad support for this, specifically more frequent bin-emptying. While water quality was not seen as a significant factor in decisions to visit, there was a desire for more reliable information about water quality, such as the blue flag award.

6. More easily accessible information about visiting the coast

Lack of information or awareness about visiting the coast and what it entails was a significant barrier discussed in the qualitative research. Having more easily accessible information therefore emerged as an additional suggestion from participants.

Specifically, there was a desire for: sharing practical information about what a day at the coast looks like; better publicity of available facilities; information in different languages or via community communications channels, e.g. Awaz FM; and early exposure at school, including school trips to the coast.

7. Dog-free zones on beaches or dog-free times

To help combat concerns about dogs at the beach, there was a suggestion that having 'dog-free zones' or times where dogs were not allowed at particular beaches could help to put people who didn't like dogs at ease. More clarity on this (in particular, better signage) was also seen as reassuring for dog walkers.

Considerations for future research

As highlighted previously in this report, this is a relatively small-scale initial study that examines barriers to access among groups that are less likely to access the coast. For ethnic minorities and disabled people in particular, the findings are indicative only and there would be benefit in exploring these issues further with these groups.

While this research provides a qualitative understanding of barriers to access and views on policy measures, the findings could be used to develop survey questions to quantify how prevalent those barriers are across Scotland's population or among specific groups who are less likely to access the coast.

This research also aimed to inform the development of an indicator for access to blue space in the future, if desired. The survey questions that were designed as part of this research can be used as a basis for this, while the literature review identifies potential data sources that could be used. Options include placing question(s) on an existing survey (such as Scotland's People and Nature Survey or the Scottish Household Survey) or placing question/s on an omnibus survey (random probability panel surveys or standard opt-in online panel surveys.)