Inequalities in access to blue coastal space: research report

Executive summary

Accessing blue space is associated with both physical and health benefits. Existing research has found that living near blue spaces can have stronger beneficial effects on the health and wellbeing of people living in lower income households and in socio-economically deprived areas. Ensuring access to coastal and other blue space environments may therefore play a role in reducing health inequalities.

Given the association between access to blue space and reducing health inequalities, Marine Scotland and Crown Estate Scotland commissioned this research to provide a greater understanding both of the benefits of accessing the coast in Scotland and of the barriers to visiting. The study explored whether there are particular barriers for specific socio-demographic groups and also explored potential policy solutions or actions to improve access in future. The research was intended to address an evidence gap on the topic of inequalities of access to the coast.

The research design consisted of three stages:

1. A rapid review of international literature – to ensure the research built on what was already known about public access to the coast.

2. A nationally representative online survey of 2,355 adults aged 16+ in Scotland – to identify which groups are less likely to access the coast.

3. Qualitative research with 39 occasional and non-users of the coast and 4 stakeholders – to collect rich and detailed data on key barriers to visiting and views on what needs to change to make this easier.

The study took an iterative approach, with each stage informing the design of subsequent phases. The sampling framework for the qualitative research was designed based on the survey results, involving participants from groups that were less likely to visit the coast: those with a disability or health condition; those from an Asian or Black African background; those living in deprived (SIMD 1/2) urban areas; and young people aged 16-34.

Analysis was structured according to the MAPPS behaviour change framework to ensure that the full range of influences and experiences of accessing the coast were explored.

Key findings

The key findings from this research are summarised below.

Usage of coastal space

There is relatively limited previous evidence on inequalities in accessing blue space specifically. Evidence from England and Scotland indicates that those who visit nature infrequently (or never) are more likely to be: female, older, in poor health, of lower socio-economic status, from an ethnic minority, living in socio-economically deprived areas and lower green space neighbourhoods (Boyd et al., 2018; Stewart and Eccleston, 2020).

The quantitative survey carried out as part of this research showed that beaches, the sea and other coastline are by far the most commonly used type of blue space in Scotland (71% of the Scottish public having visited in the last 12 months), and also showed a disparity between socio-economic groups. The following groups were more likely on average to say they had not visited the coast (and often no blue space at all) in the 12-month period before taking part in the survey: disabled people, ethnic minorities, young people aged 16-34, non-graduates, those renting from a council or housing association, those living in urban areas and those living in the most deprived areas (SIMD 1).

However, findings from the qualitative research with occasional or non-users of the coast suggested that despite this, associations with the coast were typically positive, often framed by pleasant childhood memories of coastal visits with family. Participants acknowledged that the amount of time they spend at the coast changed at different times of year, with people tending to go more often in warmer months.

Perceived benefits of accessing coastal space

Existing literature outlines how exposure to 'nature' can result in benefits for health and wellbeing through a number of pathways. Blue spaces in particular have been shown to provide both opportunity and motivation for people to be more physically active; promote good mental health; and facilitate social contact.

In line with this, the benefits that participants in the qualitative research associated with visiting the coast included physical health benefits (mainly relating to being more physically active), spending time in nature, socialising with friends and family, and particularly mental health benefits (including reducing stress or anxiety). Reasons mentioned for visiting the coast overlapped with these perceived benefits of visiting, such as wanting to relax, socialise or exercise.

Infrequent users and non-users of the coast were generally open to or enthusiastic about visiting more often. However, a range of barriers could make this difficult or unappealing.

Barriers to accessing the coast

The literature review indicated that various individual, social and structural conditions affect the accessibility of coastal blue space and this was reflected in the wide range of barriers described as part of the qualitative element of this research. These barriers were broadly grouped into the following categories: motivation, capability, physical barriers and social factors.

Motivational barriers had a considerable impact on participants not visiting the coast. These included personal preferences and not seeing the benefits of spending time at the coast. However, there were also features of the coast that actively put participants off visiting such as overcrowded beaches, anti-social behaviour, or beaches not being clean.

Other factors which could affect motivation to visit included participants' personal identity and feelings of connection to the coast, as well as perceived barriers (their expectations about how easy or difficult it would be to get to the coast).

Two main factors limited participants' individual capability to visit the coast; namely having the necessary knowledge and experience or a lack of time. There were also those whose mental health limited their ability to go out in general.

Physical barriers to spending time at the coast came out strongly. Participants cited travel barriers (primarily relating to public transport), travel costs, challenges interacting with the physical environment at the coast such as sandy beaches or eroded paths, and a lack of good quality facilities. Weather and limited daylight hours in winter also played a role.

Social and cultural norms were another important factor that shaped participants' experiences of, knowledge of and attitudes towards visiting the coast. When participants were unaware of friends or family visiting the coast, or others in their community doing so, this made them less likely to consider going themselves. Among minority ethnic participants, there was some concern about stigma and feeling uncomfortable at the coast.

Potential policy solutions

The literature review identified policy interventions and solutions that were already in place in other countries and regions, including societal, local/regional and personal actions. Participants in the qualitative research gave their views on five potential policy interventions based on these findings. They were also asked for any further suggestions that might encourage them or others around them to visit the coast, or visit it more often.

Overall, participants' support for different policy solutions linked with the specific barriers they faced to visiting the coast. Two key policy solutions that were felt to be important were improving transport links to the coast and making public transport to the coast more affordable. This reflected the importance of transport-related barriers.

When asked to consider whether developing the area along the coast might encourage them to visit it more often, participants advocated for a balanced approach to developing the area along Scotland's coast. There was a desire to preserve the natural and peaceful feel of coastal spaces, particularly rural parts of the coastline. They were keen that any changes should be well thought-out, purposeful and take into account any impacts on the local community and the natural environment.

Offering more groups or club activities at the coast was not generally felt to be a solution that would encourage them personally to visit the coast more often, although few drawbacks were identified. Stakeholders working with ethnic minority communities, however, felt that group trips led by members of these communities could be an important means of tackling the potential unease these individuals may feel when visiting the coast.

Information provision and communication about visiting the coast was spontaneously mentioned as something that could help to encourage people to visit more often. Further suggestions were: improved cleanliness and maintenance of beaches including regular bin-emptying; the provision of facilities to make the experience of visiting more comfortable, such as beach furniture or showers or water fountains to wash off sand; facilities being more inclusive, for example cafes providing halal food options; and having dog-free areas.