£822,000 Boost for England Coast Path through Parkgate

Cheshire West and Chester Council secured a substantial grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for the development of a new stretch of the England Coast Path, through Parkgate.

Earlier this year, the Council received an initial grant of £43,021 from Natural England to facilitate the planning phase for this segment of the England Coast Path within the borough.

Following this, a comprehensive construction bid amounting to £822,545 was approved, setting the stage for the commencement of work.

The construction began earlier this month, with the establishment of a temporary site compound at the intersection of Manorial Road South and Moorside Lane, providing strategic access to the coast path.

The pathway construction is expected to start in early January 2024 and continue until the end of March 2024.

The England Coast Path, a 2,700-mile National Trail created by DEFRA, winds through various boroughs. Cheshire West and Chester Council have been tasked with implementing the stretch from the Boathouse pub at Parkgate to the Welsh boundary.

This section of the route traverses through sensitive ecological areas, including a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands.

The environmental significance of this location mandates that any construction work adheres to specific ecological windows and seasons, ensuring minimal disturbance to the area’s natural habitat.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, expressed her enthusiasm for the project.

She highlighted the urgent need for repairs along certain sections of the pathway, emphasising that the project will include new signage, patching for better accessibility during winter months, drainage improvements, and more comprehensive engineering solutions.

The work will address issues such as embankment deterioration and boggy areas, enhancing the path’s overall stability and usability.

Upon completion, the new path will not only improve access for walkers along the English coastline but will also link with the Wales Coastal Path at the border.