Coastal walk beats funding target for repairs

A crowdfunding campaign to raise money to restore a damaged stretch of Alfred Wainwright's famous Coast to Coast walk has surpassed its target.
Robin Hood's Bay.Robin Hood's Bay.
Robin Hood's Bay.

Personalities, including TV presenter and walking enthusiast Julia Bradbury and Yorkshire shepherdess and star of ITV’s The Dales Amanda Owen, added their voices to a campaign launched by conservation organisations in a bid to prevent the walk from becoming unsafe for the thousands of people who walk it every year.

The route, which takes walkers through three national parks, is 190 miles long and allows people to enjoy a spectacular journey from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay.

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One of the stretches of the trail most in need of repair is at Nine Standards Rigg, in Cumbria, above Kirkby Stephen. The ground has become so bad that local mountain rescue teams have had to be called out to free walkers who have got stuck up to their waist in boggy peat.

Nine Standards Rigg where the path has become dangerously boggy.Nine Standards Rigg where the path has become dangerously boggy.
Nine Standards Rigg where the path has become dangerously boggy.

The team, led by The North Pennines AONB Partnership, in collaboration with the Friends of the North Pennines, had hoped to raise £15,000 – but it was announced yesterday this target has been surpassed and thanks to generous donations from individuals, community groups and businesses, a total of £21,405 has been raised.

Now the part of the route that runs between Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria and Keld in North Yorkshire, which was proving hazardous for walkers, will be flagged with stone.

Alistair Lockett, field officer from the AONB Partnership, said: “Several walkers have had to be rescued after getting stuck up to their waist in the mud.” Anyone wanting to help the continuing restoration process should call Mr Lockett on 01388 528801.

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