Campaign Boost For Wales Coastal Path On Its Second Anniversary

A campaign to draw attention to the beauty of the Wales Coastal Path will be launched over the next month, especially designed to coincide with its second anniversary. Being publicised under the heading “Love The Welsh Coast”, a series events will take place including the Big Welsh Walk.

The coastal path passes through wonderful scenery

Culture Minister John Griffiths will join ramblers at Southerndown in the Vale of Glamorgan to mark the launch.

A report last year said that the path attracted three million visitors in its first year, resulting in £32 million being generated

The path runs for 870 miles (1,400km) from the River Dee in Flintshire to Chepstow in the south east of Wales. Work on the path began in 2007 with the formal opening in May 2012.

The Welsh government said it had spent up to £2m a year since 2007 creating and maintaining the path, which is the responsibility of Natural Resources Wales.

Mr Griffiths said: "The development of the Wales Coast Path is already providing a boost to local economies around our coastline and is attracting thousands of visitors to Wales.  The work going on to maintain and improve the path will only increase the number of visitors and the economic benefits in future."

Emyr Roberts, chief executive of Natural Resources Wales, said: "In the first two years since it opened in May 2012, the Wales Coast Path has made a significant contribution to the Welsh economy and captured the imagination of the nation. There are excellent recreational opportunities along the path that are available for local people and the visitors who come to explore, showcasing the diversity of the landscape and habitats along our coastline."

Wales Coastal Path