The beautiful coastline at St Lawrence can once again be enjoyed by walkers following the reopening of public footpaths V99 and the path providing access to Binnel Bay.
Both paths had been closed for many months as coastal erosion had made access unsafe.
New link path created
The Isle of Wight council has been working closely with Natural England and the local landowner to find a way to reopen public footpath V99 by creating a new link path which, along with the coastal public footpaths in this area, will be part of the route of the England Coast Path National Trail on the Island.
New steps and boardwalks installed
On the public footpath leading to the shore, new steps and boardwalks have been installed improving access on slopes and to the beach.
Funding for the beach access has come from the Isle of Wight AONB through their Defra Access Fund. Further flights of steps and landings have been funded by the England Coast Path Establishment Grant from Natural England.
Brownscombe: Beach access also been improved
John Brownscombe, the council’s rights of way officer (England Coast Path), said,
“The England Coast Path grant funding and the cooperation of the landowner, has allowed us to create a realigned route inland from where it was eroded and made unsafe to use.
“This new route which is close to Binnel Bay, has been cleared and new steps, and a footbridge installed funded by the England Coast Path Establishment Grant from Natural England as it will, in the future, form part of the new promoted trail.
“Although the new National Trail won’t be formally opened until all the works on the length between Binnel Bay and Chilton Chine are completed, the landowner has kindly given their permission for the new alignment to be used now, so that we can reopen the rest of the public footpath and reconnect Binnel Bay and Woody Bay.
“The beach access has been improved making it safe and easier to use through Isle of Wight AONB Access Fund from Defra.”
Bacon: Very grateful to the partners
Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member responsible for rights of way, added,
“We are very grateful to the partners in this project which have helped us to achieve these improvements in the area for the public to enjoy and look forward to more positive changes to coastal access from the investment in the England Coast Path planned around the Island’s coastline.”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
