Westmorland and Furness Council is responding to damage caused by Storm Ashley which washed away a section of a well-used footpath at Earnse Bay in Barrow.
Following the impact of Storm Ashley over the weekend, a section of a popular footpath at Earnse Bay was washed away. The Council is actively addressing the situation and is working with contractors to remove fencing within the next week and ensure continued access through the field.
The section of path at Earnse Bay is part of the King Charles III England Coast Path, a National Trail that will eventually span the entire English coastline. While not a public right of way, this path is subject to ‘roll back’ legislation, allowing the path to shift inland as the coast erodes. The recent storm has accelerated this erosion, moving the original path onto the beach.
Members and officers of the Council will meet on-site with local MP Michelle Scrogham this Friday to assess the damage firsthand and discuss next steps. This meeting will be crucial in determining a coordinated and collaborative approach to both short and long-term management of the path.
The Council’s Countryside Access team has already responded by installing clear signage to guide walkers and ensure safety in the affected area. Further work will be completed to move the field gate and alter the fencing around it. In the meantime, the public is encouraged to take care using the path and follow any safety instructions posted along the path.
Councillor Giles Archibald, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, said:
“We fully understand and share the concerns about the erosion impacting residents, local businesses and visitor access to the area and it is important to us that we work with Government and partners to address the economic, community and environmental impacts of coastal erosion.
“The recent damage caused by Storm Ashley over the weekend is a reminder that climate change remains the challenge of our generation and we have to anticipate the further impacts of this on our environment and our way of life.
“We have been in regular contact with residents and communities for many years and we will continue to work closely and engage with them as well as businesses and stakeholders to manage the situation within the current resources.
“Friday's site visit will allow us to see firsthand the impact of the recent storm and discuss how we can work together to ensure we are managing the path as best we can whilst keeping it safe for use."
The Council is currently working in partnership with the Our Future Coast project team at West Shore Park in Barrow to develop a strategy to manage and adapt to coastal change.
Funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, of which £5 million has been dedicated towards Coastal projects, the Our Future Coast has aims to plan for and manage coastal flooding and erosion risks across fourteen case study locations in the North West. This includes West Shore Park in Barrow which has received an allocation of £200,000 from this fund for coastal monitoring and adaptation.
The West Shore Park case study is key to understanding what erosion is happening, how quickly, the impact it may have over time and what options are available to manage it.