The Wales Coastal Path has created real economic & social value for local communities

The Wales Coastal Path has created real economic and social value for local communities, and the rest of the world could learn from this success story, according to the Royal Geographical Society.

Innovative thinking and a collective willpower has succeeded in creating the first footpath to follow the whole coastline of a country, Chris Parker of Ordnance Survey told a recent society conference.

Opened in May 2012, the footpath runs from Deeside 870 miles to Chepstow in Monmouthshire.

The path has been a “resounding success” and has created “transformational change” for those that live along and visit it.

Its believed the path in its first year brought £16m of revenue to businesses.

Chris Parker, Head of the GeoVation programme at Ordnance Survey was responsible for launching an innovation challenge to find ways on how geography could be harnessed to help connect communities, businesses and visitors along the new Wales Coast Path.

Chris told the conference:

“This is a great story of a nation holding onto its dreams and making something truly transformational happen. The project has been a resounding success and a number of international lessons have been learnt in the process of achieving this world first, i am particularly pleased to see the role of geography, innovation and technology in achieving transformational change to the benefit of society.”

Jane Davidson, the Minister for Environment and Sustainability in Wales (2007 – 2011), was responsible for delivering the world first initiative, was also speaking at the conference, she said:

“I would love to see other nations start to build their own coast path projects. The Wales Coastal Path is delivering real benefits and allowing people to celebrate, embrace and experience our extraordinary landscape.”