Unlocking our Coastal Heritage - Partnership Working

The delivery of this project was coordinated by the SW Coast Path Team, who worked closely many other organisations whose local knowledge and staff were able to deliver the projects.

The key partners were:

The South West Coast Path Team coordinates the management and promotion of the Trail. Its core team, largely funded by Natural England consists of a National Trail Officer, a Communications and Project Officer with a part-time Administrative support. This was boosted during the project with the addition of a Project Manager, a Commercial Partnership Officer and additional Administrative support.

Devon County Council host the SWCP Team on behalf of the Trail Partnership, acted as the accountable body for the project, and provided Finance support. Its Historic Environment Service provided technical advice and support in delivering the Heritage conservation projects, whilst the Public Rights of Way Team delivered path improvements.

The National Trust is the largest landowner on the Coast Path and manages 185 miles of the Trail. The work it undertook was the conservation work on the heritage features in its ownership, along with numerous path and corridor improvements.

The South West Coast Path Association is a charity representing users of the Trail. By increasing its volunteer & fundraising activities, it was able to help identify projects and in conjunction with the Commercial Partnership Officer employed by the SWCP Team, raise over £200,000 from individuals and businesses towards projects. A key part of this fundraising was the 2013 Great South West Walk.

Exmoor National Park Authority, Cornwall Council, Plymouth City Council, Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust and Dorset Countryside Service, helped with the Great South West Walk and identifying and delivering path improvements.

The AONB Services in North, South and East Devon, Dorset and Cornwall AONBs also helped with the Great South West Walk, and management of some of the Heritage conservation projects, the creation of improved interpretation and landscape enhancements.

The Cornish Mining and Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site Teams, and the English Riviera Geopark Team, helped provide new interpretation and information and collaborated on promotional activity.

Visit Cornwall, Visit Devon and Destination Dorset organised Business Training courses and worked with the Team on promotion of the Coast Path in the UK and internationally.