Walkers could get new coast route

If approved, this route will become part of the England Coast Path, a new long distance National Trail that will allow people to walk 4,500km around the whole of the English Coast, and will traverse a section of the North Yorkshire and Teesside coastline.

Natural England are working to complete the route in five years and have recently published a map which shows where and when coastal access will be improved.

This is the first time proposals have been published for the route in Yorkshire and it will be the longest section of coast path to be developed so far. The first north east section of the England Coast Path was opened last April, running along 55 kilometres of coastline between North Gare in Hartlepool and South Bents in Sunderland.

Malcolm Hodgson, National Trails Officer for the Cleveland Way, which runs along much of the proposed route, said: “The England Coast Path will use part of the existing Cleveland Way National Trail and the proposals include taking the route through the urban areas of Whitby and Scarborough for the first time – a plus for businesses in those towns.

“It’s important though that everyone with a view on where the route should go has a chance to see the plans and submit a formal response if they wish,” he added.

Public talks are taking place over the next eight weeks. Copies of the report and details of how to respond can be viewed in libraries in Scarborough, Filey, Whitby and Saltburn.

Details will also be available on Natural England’s coastal access web pages.