The world-famous Coast to Coast Walk is to undergo millions of pounds of improvements after the Government announced it will be made a National Trail.
The campaign to have the walk – created by the renowned fellwalker and author Alfred Wainwright – officially recognised was led by Richmond MP Rishi Sunak.
National Trail designation means the route will now receive more than £5m to upgrade the walk and for path maintenance, signposting and promotion.
The news was welcomed by hundreds of businesses along the 190-mile route who benefit from the thousands of walkers – many from overseas – who tackle it every year.
Mark Sandamas, managing director of Sherpa Van, a baggage-moving and accommodation-booking service based in Richmond, said the announcement was “fantastic news” for the many businesses on the route.
He said: “The walk has the potential to bring so much custom to business in some of the most isolated parts of northern England.
“It already draws walkers from all round the UK and the overseas. National Trail designation will help bring many more and cement its reputation as one of the world’s finest long-distance paths.”
Karen Skeel, of Frith Lodge B&B at Keld in Swaledale, said: Our remote business relies in the main on Coast to Coast walkers, who we have the pleasure in welcoming from the UK as well as overseas.
"National Trail status will fund much-needed maintenance and way-marking in places, but also its promotion.”
Victoria Howard, of Park House B&B near Ingleby Cross on the edge of the North York Moors, said designation would be “brilliant”.
She added: “There are problems with signage on part of the route which I know many of our American and Canadian visitors find puzzling given the world-wide fame of the walk.
“It will also be important to resolve the safety issue at the point where the walkers have to cross the A19.”
He gained the support of more than 70 organisations, local councils and the three national parks along the route for the idea.
Among the first to back the campaign was the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Its chief executive David Butterworth said: “The achievement of national trail status for the Coast to Coast path has long been an objective for us and our partners.
WWe're grateful to all those who have worked so assiduously for this moment, both locally and nationally.
"We now look forward to delivering the recreation and economic benefits that flow from this decision.”
The route runs for 190 miles across the North of England from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay and through the heart of Mr Sunak’s constituency.
It was devised by Alfred Wainwright and published as a book in 1973.
Mr Sunak said the designation would help to further develop the walk’s appeal and boost the economy of a vast swathe of northern England the route passes through.
He said: “This is a major milestone in the campaign.
"I am delighted that the Government has given the green light to Trail status.
“The campaign I launched back in 2016 received support from all parts of the North and I am grateful to all those who backed the idea.
“The Coast to Coast is vital to the visitor economy in North Yorkshire and Cumbria.
"It’s world-wide fame brings people from all over the UK, Europe and the rest of the world to patronise our hotels, B&Bs, pubs, campsites and shops.”
He said the Coast to Coast brought sustainable tourism growth with more walkers meaning fewer car-borne visitors.
Mr Sunak’s campaign has been supported by the Wainwright Society, custodians of the late fellwalker’s legacy, and endorsed by 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.
Welcoming the National Trail designation, Julia Bradbury said: “I'm so pleased that this well-trodden route is to become an official national trail.
“Having walked the walk - and talked the talk - and promoted its virtues on TV and in print, I know exactly why it is one of the great Alfred Wainwright's most popular routes.
"Taking in the magical Lake District, to the heights of the Peaks and the rolling landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales and Moors - it is just stunning.”
Millions will now be spent on ensuring the trail is made more accessible, installing better signage, improving the path surfaces and developing circular paths and link routes to make it more appealing for those wanting shorter walks.
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