Two new stretches of the England Coast Path open in the North
11 Apr 2014 03:29 PM
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
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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.
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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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