Ken Carter, Vice Chairman of the SW Coast Path Association, Mark Owen SW Coast Path National Trail Officer, Cllr Rufus Gilbert of Devon County Council and Jo Hocking Chair of South Huish Parish Council starting off on the new section of path.

Coast Path reopened near Thurlestone

Devon County Council has completed work to re-open a section of Coast Path south of Thurlestone which had been closed since early 2013 when it was severed by a cliff fall. Work has been funded by the Council who also negotiated the route by kind agreement with the landowners.

The new route follows the edge of the field, and whilst slightly longer than the original route retains stunning views along the coast. The path is by kind agreement of the landowners

Councillor Rufus Gilbert praised the hard work of the Devon County staff who negotiated the new route and their contractors who undertook the construction of the path and ancillary works.

Ken Carter, Vice Chairman of the South West Coast Path Association is delighted that this new temporary permissive path is open for the summer season. “The feedback from businesses, holiday makers and local people at today’s opening was really encouraging. We will be keeping the dialogue open with Devon County Council to ensure a permanent solution is reached. We hope the public and businesses will continue to support our South Hams Appeal for funds to meet half the cost of these vital repairs to storm damaged sections of the Coast Path.”

Mark Owen, the SW Coast Path National Trail Officer was impressed by how well used the new path is. Even as the final fingerposts were going in, there was a steady stream of residents and holiday makers enjoying the walk. “The Coast Path is a key part of the region’s tourism economy, with walkers spending £436 million annually, which supports nearly 10,000 jobs. Investment like this to ensure the Coast Path provides a fantastic coastal experience is essential if the Coast Path is going to maintain its reputation as one of the world’s greatest walks in face of increasing competition from other destinations”.

There remains another short Coast Path diversion at nearby Hope Cope, but engineers at Devon Council have well advanced plans to repair this, and it is anticipated that this section will also be re-opened in the near future.

For more information about the South West Coast Path National Trail visit the website.

South West Coast Path Team is responsible for co-ordinating the management and promotion of the 630 mile National Trail. Its work is funded by Natural England, and they are supported in their task by the highway authorities and National Trust who maintain the path to a high standard and thus ensure this remains one of the world’s greatest walks.