The chairs of three neighbouring councils have joined forces in a show of unity to champion one of England’s most famous long-distance walking routes.
The Coast to Coast Walk runs from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire and was first documented by fellwalker and author Alfred Wainwright in 1973.
Next year, following a £5.8 million investment from Natural England, the route is set to become a National Trail, enabling it to benefit from ongoing funding and management, ensuring its preservation and helping to promote it both domestically and overseas.
The upgrade to National Trail status will see the route recorded on Ordnance Survey maps in its entirety for the first time.
Today (12 November), the chair of North Yorkshire Council, Cllr George Jabbour, welcomed his counterparts from Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council to the full council meeting at County Hall in Northallerton, where he highlighted the commitment made by the three councils to champion the Coast to Coast.
Cllr Jabbour met with Cllr Andy Semple and Cllr Doug Rathbone to discuss their love for the Coast to Coast Walk and also their desire to maximise its benefits for both residents, visitors and businesses.
In August, Cllr Jabbour raised more than £4,000 for his chosen charity, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, by completing the walk in two stages.
He said:
“I spent a memorable 18 days walking from Cumbria to North Yorkshire and enjoyed hearing from other walkers about just why they travelled the length and breadth of the UK and much further afield to enjoy the stunning views the Coast to Coast walk affords.
“Thanks to initiatives such as the Coast to Coast Passport, shops, pubs and those who provide accommodation along the way all benefit.
“It is so much more than two points at either end of a map, it’s a journey through our shared heritage, landscapes, and communities.”
According to the Government’s figures, about 6,000 people walk its length every year, generating in the region of £7 million for the local economy.
Earlier this year a Coast to Coast Passport was launched to encourage more walkers to take part and give a boost to local businesses.
After purchasing a passport, walkers can get it stamped at 80 venues in 29 different locations. By the end of September, more than 1,250 passports had been issued.
Cllr Rathbone, the chair of Westmorland and Furness Council, said the Coast to Coast showcased the very best of what the region had to offer.
He said:
“It invites people from all walks of life to enjoy the outdoors, take in the beauty of areas including Westmorland and Furness, and supports local economies along the way.
“It brings these visitors and communities together in all their diversity and is a celebration of all our areas.”
Cllr Semple, the chair of Cumberland Council, said he was delighted to meet up with his fellow chairs to champion the Coast to Coast route.
He said:
“It is a wonderful trail that showcases our beautiful landscape and is a great boost to our tourism sector as it attracts visitors from far afield.
“It is well documented how being in the outdoors can improve people’s mental health and wellbeing, from reducing stress to giving a sense of accomplishment.
“It is great to see that through its status as a National Trail the walk will soon become accessible to more and more people. As a council, we are strong advocates for walking and I would encourage everyone who can get out and about to give it a go.”
For more information on the Coast to Coast Walk, visit the National Trails website at https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/coast-to-coast/
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