Section of South West Coast Path is made safer thanks to sponsors

A popular section of the South West Coast Path, around Ayrmer Cove in South Devon, which had become narrow due to erosion, has been widened thanks to the Great South West Walk and sponsorship from Parkdean Holidays.

Erosion has been a recurring issue for the South West Coast Path with landslides on the coast being reported frequently.

However the stretch from Arymer Cove to Westcombe Beach will now be safer for walkers to use thanks to work done as part of the South West Coast Path Team’s ‘Unlocking our Coastal Heritage’ project, which received funding from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) to conserve, enhance and interpret the Coast Path.

National Trust South Devon led the work that improved this section that had become dangerously narrow and unsafe to walk along.

The work included moving 200 metres of stock fencing, which runs along the Coast Path, away from the cliff edge creating a 10 metre wide section and therefore broadening the path and making it safer and easier to use.

Marc Hoskins, National Trust Ranger for South Devon, is pleased with the result:
“We are really pleased to put actions in place to help make the Coast Path safer and more enjoyable for visitors. We are also grateful to the South West Coast Path Association and Parkdean for helping us preserve this beautiful part of Devon’s coastline.”

Steve Radford, General Manager of Parkdean’s Challaborough Bay Holiday Park, is delighted:
“This work on the South West Coast Path has meant that a part of Devon’s beautiful countryside can be enjoyed by future visitors - I am really pleased that we have been able to help.”

Another event that has made this improvement possible was The Great South West Walk, which took place this year to celebrate the South West Coast Path Association’s 40th anniversary.

The event raised over £500,000 and identified 90 much needed improvement projects around the entire 630 mile South West Coast Path.

John Slater from the South West Coast Path Team, who co-ordinated all of the funding for the Great South West Walk to make the repairs possible also commented:
“The South West Coast Path is a unique asset for the region’s tourism industry with 630 miles of coastal access to stunning landscapes and heritage. The Great South West Walk has been a fantastic partnership between the voluntary sector, public bodies and private business with an interest in the Coast Path.”

John continued: “We have been working on the funding being levered by the Great South West Walk for over a year and now have until the end of 2013 to complete all of the 90 or so improvement projects being supported by it.”

Much of this stretch of the South West Coast Path is owned by The National Trust. There are spectacular views as the Path passes through fields above beautiful sandy coves, all part of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

For further information on this section of the South West Coast Path, or any other improvement project being funded by the Great South West Walk and its partners, please visit www.GreatSouthWestWalk.co.uk

For more information on the SWCP Association, membership and the projects please visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk