National coast path opens at Weymouth Bay (From Dorset Echo)

National coast path opens at Weymouth Bay

11:00am Friday 27th January 2012 in Local News By Emma Walker

Environment Minister Richard Benyon with Poul Christensen, left, and Angus Campbell

THE first official stretch of a national coast path has been opened – around Weymouth Bay.

Environment Minister Richard Benyon was in Osmington Mills to approve the route which will run from Rufus Castle in Portland to Lulworth Cove and aims to improve access to 32 kilometres of the British coastline in time for the Olympic sailing events.

Mr Benyon said: “Opening up miles of English coastline like this will allow millions of people to better enjoy this spectacular coastline and help support local economies by encouraging tourism.

“I want to see more people walking in and accessing our countryside as I know the value such activity has for our health, for our economy and for the spiritual uplift and wellbeing out and about in the countryside.”

The Environment Minister was also on hand today to congratulate Natural England which has been awarded the Inspire Mark by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games for its work along the South West Coast Path.

Mr Benyon said those landowners concerned had been very co-operative and through ‘managed access’ the coastal route would benefit everyone involved due to increased tourism to the area.

He added that he enjoyed walking along coastal paths, especially in this area where he had many childhood memories.

Dorset County Council has worked closely with Natural England and other stakeholders including Britain’s Walking Charity, the Ramblers.

County leader Argus Campbell said: “Dorset County Council has worked closely with Natural England to secure the extra benefits that the new coastal access rights will bring the residents.

“An improved alignment in places, coupled with the ability to roll back the path in response to erosion, will add to the recreational, economic and health benefits that the path already offers.”

Ramblers are now urging the government to clearly set out the timeline for the next stretches of the path to bring the project to the rest of the country.

Justin Cooke, the Ramblers’ senior policy officer, said: “This is a great day for walkers everywhere as we see the first steps towards our vision of a continuous English coastal path become a reality.”

Natural England chairman Poul Christensen thanked the county council, local landowners and people who provided advice, knowledge and expertise.

Path work across England

Further to the coastal access path in Weymouth, Natural England has already started work on implementing coastal access in a further five areas:

Cumbria: Whitehaven to Allonby.

Hartlepool/Durham/ Sunderland: North Bents (Whitburn Bay) to Seaton Carew.

Norfolk: Weybourne to Sea Palling.

Kent: Ramsgate to Folkestone.

Somerset: Minehead to Brean Down, near Weston Super Mare.