Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

My Lords, had I been leading on this part of the Bill, my amendment would have taken out the word "optional". I still struggle with the concept of an optional alternative under new Section 55C(4). Is it an optional alternative to take a route that does not involve wading through floodwater? I am not sure that I would regard that as optional, although some people perhaps would not mind doing it. I will withdraw the amendment but, by using the word "optional", the Government themselves seem to have introduced the concept of circularity and the possibility of there being a circular route. Of course, there should be an alternative to deal with temporary or permanent constraints on using a route as originally designated. The intention of the amendment was not to create circular routes. That is a good notion, but I do not believe that it was in my noble friend’s mind. I still think that new Section 55C is not as clear as it might be, because it puts together both permanent and temporary problems and suggests that avoiding them is optional. Having said that, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 124JA withdrawn.