Bid to add town to national footpath

Plans for an improved coastal footpath linking Sutton Bridge to Hunstanton have been unveiled.

Natural England are looking to secure public access rites to most areas of beach, cliff and coastal land between the towns to make it part of the England Coast Path.

A consultation has been launched to get views on the proposal to improve the footpath from Cross Keys Bridge on the Norfolk side of the River Nene, along the edge of the Wash, on both sides of the Great Ouse to King’s Lynn and on to Hunstanton.

The proposals near Sutton Bridge include replacing existing gates to make them easier to use and new signage with £5,750 set aside for the work.

Natural England estimates the annual cost of maintaining the trail will be £11,724.

The consultation document notes that Sutton Bridge provides the services that aren’t readily available for large swathes of the proposed route.

The report continues: “This is a significant opportunity to improve public access to this stretch of coast in these ways, with benefits for residents, businesses and visitors.

“More people will have easier and more extensive access to the coastal environment for open-air recreation, which is widely acknowledged to have significant benefits for human health and well-being.”

It continues: “Once the Secretary of State’s decision on our report has been notified, and further to our conversations with land managers during the route planning stage, Norfolk County Council and Lincolnshire County Council will liaise with affected land owners and occupiers about relevant aspects of the design, installation and maintenance of the new signs and infrastructure that are needed on their land.

“Prior to works being carried out on the ground, all necessary permissions, authorisations and consents will be obtained.”

For more details of the project click here.