Crisis opens up coast path

New sections of coast route are being opened up

The foot-and-mouth crisis could help open up stretches of the South West coastline that have been barred to walkers for years.

A new route opens at St Germans Beacon in east Cornwall next month, and tough negotiations are going on with landowners around Stoke Fleming in south Devon.

The 630-mile South West Coast Path is now seen as a key factor in rebuilding the region's economy after the farm crisis.

Ros Love, the South West Coast Path co-ordinator, says that could spur local authorities to tackle problem sections of the 630-mile trail between Minehead and Poole.

The trail near Porthallow still follows roads

"The coast path has suddenly had massive recognition since foot-and-mouth.

"Malcolm Bell, the chief executive of South West Tourism, has said the path is as economically critical as the A30 and the railway.

"It is fundamental to why people come to the region."

The coast path team funded by the Countryside Agency has been working through a list of problem sections:

• Porlock, Exmoor - a new route has opened after sea breached shingle beach
• Lee Abbey, Exmoor - a new route avoids a dangerous road, but another stretch is needed
• Porthallow to Porthoustock, Lizard - pressure is on Cornwall County Council to take walkers off inland roads
• St Germans Beacon, Portwrinkle, Cornwall - the route now leaves main road after 25 years of access disputes
• Plymouth maritime walk - future development may sort out a dangerous road (not yet part of the official trail)
• Stoke Fleming and Strete, south Devon - landowners are fighting moves to open up the coast
• The south Devon section runs out of sight of the sea for most of its five miles between Warren Point and Strete Gate

Landowners have appointed a solicitor to keep walkers away from their private coastline.

One has asked for a seven-figure compensation payment.

Autumn decision

A team has been appointed to survey an off-road, coastal route passing through Stoke Fleming and Strete villages - bringing vital trade to pubs and shops.

"On the whole 630-mile path, this is the section that has attracted most complaints over 25 to 30 years," said Ros Love.

The sea breached shingle at Porlock

"For every person walking this stretch, there are 4.2 walking the stretches either side."

The new team hopes landowners will allow a survey to find a path through scrub and gorse, obscured from homes.

The nearest is 30 metres from the likely route.

The Countryside Agency is due to decide on the issue in the autumn - but the case must still go to public consultation before compulsory access powers can be used.