WIREDGOV

New access rights come into force today for two new stretches of the England Coast Path. This will enable people to enjoy 36 kms of coastline between Allonby and Whitehaven in Cumbria, and 55 kms of coastline between North Gare in Hartlepool and South Bents in Sunderland in the North East. 

Each region is hosting an opening ceremony to officially open these first stretches: one in Cumbria today, and one in the North East tomorrow.

Last summer, the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), gave approval for these two stretches of the national England Coast Path. Work to implement the new route – including new signage and gates – has been taking place since then in preparation for the launch events.

For the first time walkers will be given new rights of access to typical coastal land including foreshore, beaches, dunes and cliffs; including areas where everyone can rest, relax and admire the view.  And, crucially, the path will now be able to ‘roll back’ as the cliffs erode or slips – enabling a replacement route to be put in place quickly if necessary, and so solving longstanding difficulties with maintaining a continuous route along the coast.

As well as enabling visitors to enjoy new parts of the coastline, improving access will help to support local economies, by attracting new visitors to both coasts and increasing associated spending in seaside businesses such as shops, pubs and hotels. 

When it is complete, the England Coast Path will be a well way-marked National Trail around the whole English coast. Work is already underway on more stretches in the North. Proposals for other regions of England are also being developed in discussion with local authorities, landowners and businesses.

Quotes

Environment Minister Dan Rogerson said: “We have already helped thousands of people better enjoy our spectacular coastline, and this new stretch will bring more tourists to the area, building a stronger local economy. This government is building a stronger economy and a fairer society, and allowing people to access our coastline benefits everyone – which is why we are rolling it out further.”

North East

Jim Smyllie, Natural England’s Executive Director, said: “These new public access rights are now in place thanks to the close co-operation and support of Durham Heritage Coast Partnership, Durham County Council, Hartlepool Borough Council, Sunderland City Council and the many landowners and local people involved. I visited the developing path last year, and heard first-hand from many local partners and businesses of the value they put on this, and particularly on joining the coast to local towns like Hartlepool.  We’re delighted to be opening up this new stretch and this path will provide permanent, secure and improved rights for walkers and other users to enjoy some of the most fascinating and striking coastline in England.”

Cllr Pauline Charlton, Chair of Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted that this new path now connects our three local authorities along this marvellous coast. Fifteen years ago we saw how a new path can reconnect communities to their coast and the real, tangible benefits that arise from a simple path and I look forward to working with our neighbours to ensure we reap the benefits of this opportunity. I would like to thank those people who have contributed directly to making this path happen, in particular the landowners and land managers and to welcome all those people who can discover this magical coast line.” 

Councillor Peter Jackson, Chair of Hartlepool Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “It is great news that this first stretch of the England Coast Path in the North-East is open. It will open up our stunning coastline for the enjoyment of local people, and it will also help to us to attract more visitors to the area, with all of the economic benefits that they bring. I would like to congratulate all parties involved for the way they have worked so well together to bring this ambitious project to fruition.”

Councillor James Blackburn, Sunderland City council’s Portfolio Holder for City Services added: “The new access rights are a very welcome addition to the accessibility of the city. The rights will be particularly beneficial to residents and visitors along our rural coast between Hendon and Ryhope Dene, where coastal public footpaths were lost through cliff erosion some years ago. Signing the new route through the historic east end of the city, and the ongoing Seafront Regeneration Project through Roker and Seaburn, will be mutually very fitting.”

The North East has one of the finest coastlines in Britain, and the stretch between Hartlepool and Sunderland has evolved triumphantly from its industrial past to form part of the Durham Heritage Coast. It is an area rich in shallow bays and headlands with yellow Magnesian Limestone cliffs, and has dramatic views over great natural landscapes of historical and geological interest.

Cumbria

Ian Fugler, Natural England’s Director of Access & Engagement, said:  “We’re delighted to be opening up this first stretch of the English coastal footpath in Cumbria.  It will provide permanent, secure and improved rights for walkers to enjoy some of the most riveting coastline in England. As a Cumbrian resident, but with Cornish roots, I have a keen interest in our coast.  These new public access rights are now in place thanks to the close co-operation and support of Cumbria County Council and the many landowners and local people involved.  We’d like to thank everyone for working so well together to get us to this momentous day.”

Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “The council is delighted to be involved in this exciting initiative which will open up Cumbria’s coastline for people to explore and bring economic benefits to West Cumbria by boosting tourism and attracting new visitors. It’s a fantastic new resource and we look forward to working with Natural England and other partners on extending and improving access to the rest of the county’s wonderful coastline.”

Cumbria has one of the most interesting coastlines in Britain, with a variety of sandy beaches and dunes, old Norse settlements and Roman remains, a rich maritime history and a fascinating industrial and mining heritage. This new stretch starts in the village overlooking Allonby Bay in the Solway Firth, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty giving spectacular views across to the Galloway hills of southern Scotland, and ends further south in the Georgian town of Whitehaven.

More details and maps are available on our Coastal Access web pages.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Press office contacts

Natural England 
Michelle Hawkins, Press Officer (for both stretches) 
0300 060 1109 / michelle.hawkins@naturalengland.org.uk

Cumbria County Council 
Jim Smith, Communications Adviser 
01228 226 325/  jim.smith@cumbria.gov.uk

Durham Heritage Coast Partnership 
Niall Benson, Heritage Coast Officer 
03000 268 130 / niall.benson@durham.gov.uk

Durham County Council 
Press Office 
03000 268 064 / 066 / 069 / 070 / press@durham.gov.uk

Hartlepool Borough Council 
Steve Hilton, Public Relations Officer 
01429 284 065 / steve.hilton@hartlepool.gov.uk

Sunderland City Council 
Jonathan Kinnair, Assistant Media Officer 
0191 561 1071 / Jonathan.Kinnair@sunderland.gov.uk

2. Additional facts

• The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 places a duty on the Secretary of State (Defra) and Natural England to secure a long distance walking trail around the open coast of England, together with public access rights to a wider area of land along the way for people to enjoy.

• These two new stretches of coastal access in the North are the first to be approved since the inaugural stretch at Weymouth in Dorset, which opened in time for people to view the sailing events for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

• It is envisaged that, over the next two years, work will have started or been completed on 17 stretches of England’s coastline, totalling in excess of 1,000 km.

• This national infrastructure project is being established with a low cost input, and it will open up new business opportunities for coastal communities. The England Coast Path is a very good example of generating more money for local economies at a low cost.

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