Your Voice is Needed! Beach Access Survey 2025
Key Takeaways
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| What it is | A national survey gathering insights from disabled people and those with health conditions on their experiences accessing beaches and blue spaces |
| Why it matters | Many beaches and waterways remain physically and socially inaccessible — this survey provides real-world data to influence policy and design |
| Who’s behind it | Will Behenna, disabled paddleboarder and founder of the Beach Access Project |
| How to take part | Survey open until 30 September 2025 at beachaccessproject.co.uk or via direct survey link |
| What it could change | Better national guidance, more accessible beach infrastructure, and a stronger voice for disabled people in outdoor space planning |
Why the Beach Access Survey Is Urgently Needed
If you’ve ever struggled to find an accessible toilet, suitable parking spot, or even a path to the sand, you’re not alone. Despite beaches being one of the UK’s most visited natural spaces, access for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions is still the exception, not the norm.
A 2024 report from the Environment Agency revealed there’s “little provision for people with physical or sensory disabilities to access safe outdoor blue space.” Meanwhile, health studies continue to show that spending time near water boosts wellbeing — especially for people with chronic health issues, mental health challenges, or reduced mobility.
Yet while green spaces have long had detailed accessibility guidance, blue spaces — like beaches, rivers, lakes, and canals — have been left behind. The Beach Access Survey is a step toward changing that.
Meet the Person Behind the Project
The survey is part of the Beach Access Project, founded by Will Behenna, a lifelong water sports enthusiast from Cornwall. After a cycling accident at 16 left him with a spinal injury, Will found that his love for the sea didn’t fade — but the barriers to enjoying it had multiplied.
“I built a foam seat for my paddleboard so I could get out on the river independently,” he said. “But that was just the start. I realised how many others were completely shut out from these places.”
Will now runs Inclusive Paddleboarding, helping people with a range of mobility and health conditions experience the water. His goal isn’t just personal — it’s systemic. And the Beach Access Survey is the foundation.
What the Survey Covers — And Why It Matters
The survey asks practical, experience-based questions:
- Have you been able to access the beach or water in the last year?
- Were there toilets, parking, or ramps available?
- What would help you feel safer or more included?
Since launching in early June 2025, more than 160 people have already shared their stories. The more responses gathered, the stronger the case for new infrastructure, clearer national policy, and better public understanding of blue space access.
Whether you paddle, swim, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the sea air, your experience counts.
Why This Could Change Everything
At present, councils, landowners, and tourism operators don’t have clear blue space accessibility standards to follow. That’s part of the problem. Without guidance, many don’t know where to start — or that change is needed at all.
The data from the Beach Access Survey can:
- Show local authorities the barriers that exist now
- Highlight successful models of inclusive access
- Support funding bids for accessible infrastructure
- Help develop national guidance similar to green space policies
There’s already interest from organisations like the Canal & River Trust, who are exploring access improvements but need real-world insight to make informed decisions.
How to Take Part (and Spread the Word)
The survey is open until 30 September 2025 and takes around 10–15 minutes to complete.
📋 Complete the survey here: form.jotform.com/wbehenna/beach-access-project-survey-2025
🌐 Or visit www.beachaccessproject.co.uk for more information
📣 Share it in your network — every response matters
Whether you’re a wheelchair user, someone with a hidden condition, or know someone who avoids the beach because of accessibility, this survey is your chance to shape change.
More to Explore
If you’re interested in the stories and advocacy behind this work, here are some useful links:
- 🎥 Inclusive Paddleboarding Documentary
- 📰 BBC South News Article
- 📰 [Spinal Injuries Association Magazine – June 2025 issue]
- 📰 Bournemouth Echo Article
- ✍️ Why Can’t I Access the Beach? by Nicola Baird