NEWS that funding has been secured to complete the England Coast Path by 2020 following last month’s Comprehensive Spending Review has been welcomed by North Cornwall’s MP.

Conservative Scott Mann said: “I was aware before the Autumn Statement that the England Coast Path was awaiting news on funding, and I’m thrilled to learn that it has been protected.

“North Cornwall has a long coastline, which benefits our economy hugely. With these improvements, I’m sure this will only increase visitor numbers and attract more people to this beautiful part of the world.”

Cornwall is already well served by the South West Coast Path, and it is expected the line of the England Coast Path will follow the current South West Coast Path route.

However, Mr Mann’s office said the England Coast Path designation will make a difference to coastal access in Cornwall in two ways.

Firstly, the England Coast Path is not only a trail, but will provide access to land between the path and the sea, so that people can explore beaches, cliff-tops and headlands.

Secondly, the England Coast Path has a ‘roll back’ provision, meaning that if a section of coast erodes or slips the path isn’t lost, it simply moves back with the new coastline. This isn’t the case currently on the South West Coast Path.

The South West Coastal Path is estimated to be worth £436-million a year to the region economy and supports 9,771 jobs.

Kate Conto, senior policy officer at The Ramblers, said: “We’re delighted that the Government has stuck by its commitment to fund Natural England to complete the England Coast Path by 2020. This is the most exciting improvement in access to the coast and countryside in our generation.”

Natural England (NE) initially estimated the total costs of constructing the path at £5-million a year over a ten-year period, with work completed by 2019.