A NEW national trail could be created based on the iconic Coast to Coast walk across Northern England.

Natural England is working with the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and Lake District national parks, relevant councils and the Wainwright Society to develop a feasibility study leading to a proposal for designating the 182-mile Coast to Coast footpath as a National Trail.

This study, which will involve an audit of the route to assess any amendments and improvements that might be needed, will take place this year with a view to presenting a proposal early in the next financial year.

The 182-mile Coast to Coast path runs from St Bees in the west passing through Orton, Kirkby Stephen, Ravenseat, Keld, Reeth and Marske in the Yorkshire Dales National Park before continuing to Robin Hood’s Bay in the east.

Twenty-six miles of the route pass along public rights of way and rural roads managed by North Yorkshire County Council.

The walk was devised by the legendary fellwalker Alfred Wainwright and published as a book in 1973, but it has never been made a UK National Trail.

Fifteen other long distance routes in England and Wales are designated National Trails and receive public funding for path maintenance, signposting and promotion.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said: “We welcome this excellent opportunity to work with Natural England, the National Parks and landowners to improve this well-loved long-distance walk.

“The walk is very popular with visitors from both the United Kingdom and abroad, especially from Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

"Several thousand people complete the route each year, generating significant trade for businesses offering food and accommodation along the way."

Cllr Mackenzie said the route is currently maintained by landowners, the national parks and councils, but National Trail status would unlock Government funding for it.

The Northern Echo:

Ian Hewitt of the Burgoyne Hotel, Rishi Sunak MP, Kathryn Beardmore, Director of Park Services at the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council celebrate the start of work to make Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk a National Trail 

This could include improving surfaces and address long-standing issues, such as the erosion of riverside paths.

Cllr Mackenzie added: “In short, this is an opportunity to realise environmental, social and economic benefits.”

Nick Cotton, of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “The designation of the Coast to Coast as a National Trail is a key objective within our National Park Management Plan 2019-2024 and we’re delighted that this is now a big step forward to making it a reality.

“There’s a lot of work to do between now and next spring working with landowners and local communities as well as our neighbouring National Parks and Local Authorities, and of course Natural England who have the statutory responsibility for National Trails.”

Richmondshire MP Rishi Sunak launched the Coast to Coast – Make It National campaign in 2016 with the Wainwright Society.

He said he was 'delighted' with the new development.

He said: “Like the Coast to Coast walk itself, this journey has been a long one but I am delighted that work has started on giving the route the recognition and the resources it deserves.

“The Coast to Coast – Make it National campaign received overwhelming support and I am grateful to the many organisations and individuals that have given their wholehearted backing to it.

“The Coast to Coast route is an important contributor to the visitor economy in North Yorkshire and Cumbria attracting walking enthusiasts from all over the UK, Europe and the rest of the world who use our hotels, B&Bs, pubs, campsites and shops.

“National Trail status will bring even more benefits in term of sustainable tourism growth. More Coast-to-Coasters means more tourism but without the traffic that visitors can generate.”

Mr Sunak’s campaign has been supported by the Wainwright Society, custodians of the late fellwalker’s legacy, and endorsed from Wainwright enthusiasts.

They include the broadcasters Julia Bradbury, former presenter of the BBC’s Countryfile, Eric Robson, the former host of the BBC’s Gardeners’ Question Time and mountaineer Alan Hinkes.

Mr Robson, chairman of the Wainwright Society, said: “The designation of Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk as a National Trail has long been one of the Society's ambitions.

"The Walk is one of the country's most popular long-distance routes, and helps support businesses and jobs from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay, including in some of the north's most sparsely populated rural communities.

“We very much welcome, therefore, the news that Defra has invited Natural England to submit a business case for establishing the C2C Walk as a National Trail.

"This is just the start, of course, of what will inevitably be a long and detailed process over the months and years ahead to bring the project to successful fruition.

“But this is a very exciting and important first step and we look forward to working with partners along the route to establish the C2C Walk as one of the UK's great National Trails."