Two-year wait for England Coast Path stretch in Yorkshire to be finished while 30 bridges are built

Walkers will have to wait until 2022 for a new section of a long-distance trail taking in one of Europe’s fastest-eroding coastlines to open.
By Alexandra Wood
Published 5th Dec 2020, 11:45 BST
A flock of Canada Geese fly low over the sands on the East Coast at Ulrome near Skipsea. Picture: Gary LongbottomA flock of Canada Geese fly low over the sands on the East Coast at Ulrome near Skipsea. Picture: Gary Longbottom
A flock of Canada Geese fly low over the sands on the East Coast at Ulrome near Skipsea. Picture: Gary Longbottom

The 59-mile Filey to Easington stretch was originally due to be completed in October 2020.

The plans have been approved by the Government, but 30 bridges now need to be built - with the largest at Fraisthorpe, one of the area’s most popular beaches.

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The coastal path is funded by the taxpayer via Natural England with East Riding Council helping facilitate its construction.

A council spokesperson said: “In terms of the bridges, the locations work out at roughly one for every two miles of the route, between Bridlington and Easington.

“Most are small structures, but one large structure will be required at Fraisthorpe and many are in remote locations.

“The council is now working on plans for the best approach to constructing these bridges, which will require the appointment of a suitable contractor.

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"The aim is for this section of the Coastal Path to be open at some point in 2022.”

The legislation for the path takes account of erosion and allows the path to be "rolled back" inland as the coastline crumbles away.

Once complete, the England Coast Path will be one of the world’s longest continuous walking trails, at 2,795 miles in length.

The path means that, for the first time, the public will have a secure and legal right of access around the whole of the English coast

Related topics:WalkersYorkshireEuropeGovernmentFileyBridlington

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