Coast Path News

If you look at the Charity and Fundraising Walks page on our Walk the Path section, you will see how Steve Ridd and his mum are going to walk the 300 miles of the Coast Path in Cornwall for charity.

Obviously we support and wish all the best to all those who are walking to raise money for charity, but we are mentioning Steve and his mum here as 75% of the funds they raise will go to the South West Coast Path Association. Visit the Charity Walks page to see their walk proposal as well, of course, as all the other proposals.

From the Association, can we give our heartfelt thanks to Steve and Pauline Ridd for choosing us as one of their charities. All our best wishes on their walk – we’re sure they’ll enjoy their expedition.

Photo Right: Anne Cameron hands over the Association’s cheque for £20,000 to Cornwall County Councillor John Oxenham (Photo courtesy of Paul Williams, St Austell Voice)

A scenic section of the South West Coast Path is now open after a cliff failure led to its closure and a long inland diversion nearly 4 years ago. The Coast Path on the western side of the historic port of Charlestown in South Cornwall was extremely well used and the link has been missed by local walkers and holidaymakers. After extensive negotiations with the landowners, the path was eventually re-routed through several back gardens and was opened in time for the Christmas holidays. Read more »

Location: Between Duporth and Charlestown, on St Austell Bay.
Path Area: South Cornwall.
Annual Guide Walk Section no: 41 Mevagissey to Par.
Grid ref: Between SX 034 509 and SX 039 525.

The Coast Path between Duporth and Charlestown on St Austell Bay has now been re-opened following a lengthy period during which it has been necessary to take an inland diversion of approximately 2 miles/3.25km. The Association has been pleased to make a contribution of £20,000 towards this reinstatement, recognising as we do the importance of ending the need for the long inland diversion.

The reinstatement has been fraught with legal and physical difficulties. Cornwall Council’s officers have worked hard to overcome all the problems and the Association would like to record its thanks to all those concerned for their efforts in providing a coastal route here again.

The Association was pleased to be involved in the official re-opening on 19^th January 2012. See the accompanying article.

Location:- Salcombe Mouth, 1.25/2km east of Sidmouth.
Path Area:- South Devon.
Annual Guide Walk Section no:- 60, Sidmouth to Seaton.
Grid ref:- SY 147 878.

The temporary diversion at Salcombe Mouth, east of Sidmouth, has now ended. The diversion was posted on 29th September 2011 and was necessary while a footbridge was being replaced; this work has now been completed. Thanks are due to the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary, who own the adjacent land, and who allowed storage of components in their farmyard and helped with the unloading and transport of materials.

A ferry service which had operated between Appledore and Instow for more than 140 years before being discontinued in 2007 has recently been resurrected.

The new Instow ferry is being operated for the first month or two on a trial basis, with plans for an official launch later in the summer.

Formerly a commercial operation, it has now been taken under the wings of the neighbouring estuary communities of Appledore and Instow as a non-profit community project.

Weather and tide permitting, it is planned to operate the ferry service daily from two hours before, to two hours after high tide, between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.  It will operate between the ferry slip on Appledore Quay and the Quay Steps at Instow.

See:  http://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/appledore_ferry_resurrected_in_style_1_949963

Location:- Immediately east of Charmouth, West Dorset.
Path Area:- Dorset.
Annual Guide Walk Section no:- 62 Lyme Regis to Seatown.
Grid ref:- Between SY 365 930 and SY 378 930.

An inland diversion affecting approximately 0.5 mile/1km of the Coast Path immediately east of Charmouth in West Dorset because of cliff falls (previously posted 13^th February 2008) remains in place. Dorset County Council has signed an alternative route and, because of the unstable nature of the cliffs here it is not possible to indicate how long this diversion will be in place.

Location:- Ridgeway Hill, Bincombe, on the South Dorset Ridgeway (Inland Coast Path).
Path Area:- Dorset.
Annual Guide Walk Section no:- 71 West Bexington to Osmington Mills (South Dorset Ridgeway).
Grid ref:- Between SY 670 860 and SY 683 857.

The major road construction for the new A354 Dorchester-Weymouth road (previously posted 1^st February 2009) is now complete. A new bridge across the new main road is now in place. Be sure to follow the new signing at this location.

On 25th March 2011 the official opening took place of a new permissive path at Tregantle Fort, on Whitsand Bay in South East Cornwall. This new path is linked to the existing permissive range path, and both are only available when firing is not taking place, which is on alternate weekends, Bank Holidays, the whole of August and other various days. For details see the SWCPA 2011 Annual Guide. Read more »