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In the run up to the general election, the Association has been actively reaching out to all parliamentary candidates in the South West to ensure that they are briefed about the insecurity of funding and the value of the South West Coast Path. Read the letter sent out from Director, Esther Person here for your information. 

 

 

 

 

15th May 2017 

Dear Candidate,

We are writing to you as the future of the National Trails is currently facing uncertainty thought you may like an update as the South West Coast Path runs near your constituency. A commitment made by Natural England in 2013 to a three-year funding cycle has not been forthcoming and although the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has committed funding until 2017-2018, funding past this date is currently unclear.  

There are 13 National Trails in England, (plus the new England Coast Path), which stretch over 2600 miles through our finest landscapes. The Trails pass through National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), World Heritage Sites, nature reserves and even ten cities.  9 million visits are made to the South West Coast Path each year, supporting over 11,000 jobs making the Path the region’s most valuable attraction see www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/research   

With support from Coastal Communities Fund we have recovered from recent years of storm damage, as highlighted in our report https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/media/uploads/swcp_impact_report_small.pdf but will be badly affected should core funding not be forthcoming. Uncertainty regarding core costs is already having an impact, with the Trail Partnership unable to make long-term decisions or offer solid terms to staff and contractors delivering work. This in turn inhibits external parties such as local businesses, funding bodies and planning authorities that would otherwise act to support and develop the long-term future of the Trail. In these circumstances, it is difficult to provide the quality of experience that the public expects of our country’s greatest walking routes.  

It is clear that our National Trails contribute to national and local economies but uncertainty not only puts this contribution at risk, it also prevents our ability to unlock untapped potential. This lack of certainty also has a wider impact on the tourism sector as well as welfare and environmental management.  

With future Defra grants covering core costs, the National Trails would have the foundations to attract match investment from others.  

On this basis, we believe that following is vital to safeguard the future of the UK’s National Trails: 

• Defra’s upholds the Natural England agreement established in 2013 and commits to a three year funding cycle 

• Maintain total investment of £ 1.69m each year for the 13 existing National Trails, until 2021 

• Provide staged funding for the England Coast Path as it opens: (2017/18 £0.13m; 2018/19 £0.89m; 2019/20 £1.39m; 2020/21 £1.49m) 

We would urge you to support us in urging Defra to commit the funds promised, to ensure that the future of the Trails is not only safe but also able to thrive.  

With stable funding and the ability to plan we are able to do far more, for example we have been working with Visit Britain to promote walking holidays on the Coast Path to attract Dutch and German visitors, just 6 months of work has resulted in 100%+ increase in web traffic, 5,000 downloads of our walking app and £1.3 million value of media coverage in country see www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/love-the-coast-path/DEF for more information. 

We would be very happy to meet with you either on the Path or in your/our office to discuss further. We look forward to hearing from you. 

With kind regards, 

Esther Pearson 

Director