Burnham-On-Sea and Brean have attracted national media coverage this week after the launch of the new Somerset Coast Path.
The Daily Telegraph published a feature on the opening of Somerset’s new Coastal Path on Wednesday, reported here, in which Burnham-On-Sea and Brean were mentioned.
It follows the opening of a new 90km section of the England Coast Path, just in time for the Easter holidays. There is now a continuous Coast Path along most of the Somerset Coast from Brean Down to Minehead, via Bridgwater, along both banks of the River Parrett.
Somerset County Council has worked in partnership with Natural England over the last seven years to establish the new Coast Path, following agreements with all the landowners over whose land the new Coast Path will run.
Cllr David Fothergill, Cabinet Member with a responsibility for Highways said: “We are extremely happy to have launched the new section of Coast Path in Somerset. We know how popular they are with both locals and those new or visiting the region, and hope this new path will prove to be a draw for tourists.”
“Supporting the Coast Path brings great economic benefits to the County of Somerset and we look forward to further additions being planned for the future which will complete the England Coast Path in Somerset.”
The opening in Burnham-On-Sea took place this week, as featured here. It was supported by Burnham’s MP James Heappey, Burnham’s Chamber of Trade, Visit Somerset, Natural England and the Town Council.
Research carried out about other Coast Paths and National Trails in England showed that they bring huge economic benefits to the area. Figures released in December 2015 regarding the South West Coast Path revealed that walkers using this Trail spent around £468m during 2014, an increase of almost 23% in the past five years. This bucks the trend for tourism in the region as a whole, which increased by 12% overall.
Click here to access a full map showing the route of the new Coast path
