New section of England Coast Path opens in county

The route runs between Sutton Bridge and the seaside resort of Skegness

A new section of the King Charles III England Coast Path has officially opened in Lincolnshire.

The 57.3-mile (about 92km) stretch runs between Sutton Bridge in the south-east corner of the county and the seaside resort of Skegness.

It forms part of a 2,700-mile (4,345km) coast path around England which, once completed, will be the UK’s longest national trail.

Officials said the route gave the public a legal right to access some of the county's coastline for the first time.

Victoria Manton, deputy director for Natural England in the East Midlands, said the trail would give people from all over the country "access to our beautiful local coastline".

She said in addition to the health and wellbeing benefits of connecting with nature, the trail would also help to support the local economy by bringing walkers and visitors to the towns and villages along the route.

The new section of coast path runs close to the Cross Keys swing bridge in Sutton Bridge

Natural England said the path, which links to existing sections of the route around the Norfolk coastline and between Skegness and Mablethorpe, provided great opportunities to spot wildlife, including sea birds and waders.

The trail also takes in the market town of Boston - known for its association with the Pilgrim Fathers.

North of Boston, walkers currently have to divert inland while work to build a bridge over the River Steeping estuary takes place, Natural England said.

The trail has been established in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council.

Councillor Colin Davie, executive member for the environment, said King Charles had taken a keen interest in the management of the coastal environment and providing access to nature during a previous visit to the county.

"It seems fitting then, that we celebrate extending public access to the coast with the opening of this next section of the path that bears his name," he added.

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