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A scenic stretch of the South West Coast Path between Falmouth and Maenporth has been improved after extensive work including tree and scrub clearance to open up the views was completed this month.

This is a particularly popular section of the South West Coast Path with many tens of thousands of visits from holidaymakers and residents each year. Over the past 30 to 40 years the scrub on the seaward side of the path had become overgrown. The completed work has restored a number of the long lost viewpoints and will increase visitors’ enjoyment of the coast and the town.

The first stretch completed was Gyllynvase to Swanpool, followed by Swanpool to Maenporth and finished with improvements from Pendennis to the Docklands. The route now benefits from an increased number of fantastic views out towards the Roseland from the docks and towards the Lizard Peninsula from Falmouth Bay.

The work is part of a series of improvement projects in the area undertaken by Cornwall Council and funded by various partners including Falmouth Town Council with commercial sponsorship from Pendraloweth Holiday Estate, the Maenporth Estate and the Stay Café in Falmouth.

These financial contributions were a vital factor in being able to attract funding for the balance of the work from the Rural Development Programme for England, a European grant.

The 630-mile National Trail is currently the longest and most popular in the UK and contributes a significant proportion to the region’s economy. It’s particularly important for attracting out of season visits, with spring and autumn months ever more popular with walkers.

The National Trail officer who coordinates the maintenance of the South West Coast Path, Mark Owen, said; “One of the pleasures of walking the Coast Path is to experience the proximity of the land where it meets the sea and to take in views of the coastline beyond. The improved views will make this walk more enjoyable while the condition of the path itself will make it more accessible”.

Falmouth Town Manager, Richard Gates adds; “This work has been required for a long time and I’m really pleased that funding has been obtained from various partners. We live in such a beautiful area of the world and the South West Coast Path is perfect to explore and enjoy these surroundings.”

The close proximity of this particular stretch to the town and surrounding holiday parks and self catering accommodation makes it hugely important to the local the tourism industry and it’s a great boost to these businesses that this first phase of work is completed well in advance of the Easter and spring bank holidays. A further phase of work is to be undertaken to include surface and drainage improvements and renewal of steps along a stretch that is prone to getting wet and muddy, particularly in the winter months. This will ensure that the route becomes a much more enjoyable walk all year round.