For the first time, there are greater access rights to the beaches, cliffs and land beside the route where walkers can leave the path to rest, picnic or admire the view. The path can also now be rolled back as erosion causes cliffs on this stretch of coast to slip away.
The route has been opened in time for the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events, which are being held in Weymouth and Portland. Walkers will be able to enjoy cliff top views of the action.
The route is the first stretch of a proposed coast path around the whole of the English coast.
‘Opening up miles of English coastline like this will allow thousands of people to better enjoy this spectacular natural environment and help support local economies by encouraging tourism,’ said environment minister Richard Benyon.
‘I want to see more people walking in and accessing our countryside as I know the value such activity has for our health, for our economy and for the spiritual uplift and well-being that comes from being out and about. This will be the first stretch of England’s coastline to be improved under the new coastal access provisions and it is now ready in time for the 2012 Games so people will have greater opportunities to enjoy the coastline and see the sailing.’
For more information on coastal walking in the south west, visit the website www.southwestcoastpath.com
