New stretch of coastal path opens between Sutton Bridge and Skegness

A new stretch of the King Charles III coastal path has opened, giving the public access to part of the Lincolnshire coastline for the first time.

The 57.3 mile path between Sutton Bridge and Skegness passes through Boston and follows the opening of Hunstanton to Sutton Bridge, meaning the majority of The Wash coastline is accessible to walkers.

Natural England worked on this section of the path with Lincolnshire County Council, linking the existing section around the Norfolk coastline and to Lincolnshire’s open National Trail between Skegness and Mablethorpe.

Victoria Manton, deputy director for Natural England in the East Midlands, said: “This new stretch will give people from all over the country access to our beautiful local coastline, connecting them with nature and providing health and wellbeing benefits.

“The trail will also support the local economy, bringing walkers and visitors to the towns and villages for day trips, refreshments and places to stay.”

It provides opportunities to spot sea birds and provides views across The Wash, which attracts large numbers of migratory and overwintering birds such as knot, dunlin and oystercatcher.

Coun Colin Davie, executive councillor for environment at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The Lincolnshire coast has long attracted residents and visitors looking to explore its natural beauty.

“It’s a great pleasure to see this latest section of the path is now open, giving people even greater access to our unspoilt coastline.

“I had the pleasure of meeting His Majesty elsewhere on the Lincolnshire coast during his first visit to the county as King, back in July last year.

“He took a keen interest in the management of the coastal environment and providing access to nature. It seems fitting then, that we celebrate extending public access to the coast with the opening of this next section of the path that bears his name.”

The trail north of Boston is a new route and as it cannot continue to Skegness until a new bridge is built it stops at a convenient point to allow walkers to either turn around or to turn inland to pick up other paths.

Darren Braine, senior officer for the King Charles III England Coast Path at Natural England, said: “It has taken many years of working with our partners and land owners to deliver this exciting new National Trail around The Wash and to create this key link in the long distance network.

“But our work isn’t done.

“The River Steeping has presented a particular challenge and we are working at pace to design and install a new bridge across the estuary.

“In the meantime, we have to keep this area closed for public use as there is no means of crossing these dangerous tidal waters.

“Until the new bridge is installed, there are about five miles of the trail that are not yet open for public use, but we have forged ahead with opening the other 52 miles.”

Parts of the path are remote with no public facilities or connecting paths for many miles, so walkers are advised to be self-sufficient, taking enough food and water for the journey, checking the weather and wearing appropriate clothing and footwear.

Once completed, the path will be a 2,700 mile National Trail around the whole of the English coast and some 95% of the English coast is expected to be walkable by the end of this year.

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