I said in my last report that I expected it to be my last as, at the time of writing, the Coast Path was still scheduled to be complete and open by the end of 2023. Unfortunately, I spoke too soon. In January the government announced that the path would be fully walkable by the end of 2024.
The most significant development in the last year occurred last May. Therese Coffey, the then Secretary of State, announced to Parliament that, to mark the coronation, the England Coast Path would be renamed the King Charles III England Coast Path. New branding was introduced to reflect the colours of the English flag, with signage being gradually introduced across new stretches of the path. While this arguably adds kudos to the path, it does not exactly trip off the tongue.
Most of the Kent stretch is now open. The stretch from Stoke Marshes to Otterham Creek opened on 5 October and the long-awaited Ramsgate to Whitstable stretch on 25 October.
There are several reasons for the time it is taking to get this significant bit of infrastructure open: some parts of the trail are still with the Planning Inspectorate (such as reports 4 & 6 of Iwade to Grain), Covid delays of course as well as some Access Authorities having limited staff resources for infrastructure works. In Medway, in particular, there have been problems with the way markers not being properly fixed. Occasionally, the trail encounters issues which need Variation Reports before opening.
Natural England hope to have a partial opening of the Sheppey trail later this winter, once KCC have finished the infrastructure works. Once that is open the remaining work to be completed will be reports Iwade to Grain 2-6 (where establishment is waiting on the Planning Inspectors advice to their client Defra/Secretary of State); Isle of Sheppey reports 3-5 (where NE are looking at potential Variation Reports due to development affecting the proposed alignment); and finally Medway 12 (which has had to be left unopened due to recent escalation of traffic at Grain Level Crossing, leading to concerns over pedestrian safety).
I live in hope that this will be my last report.
Ian Wild, Coastal Access Officer
Between All Hallows and Cliffe Creek on the Coast Path