PARTS of the coastal footpath which runs through Teignmouth, Dawlish and Shaldon, could be in line for an upgrade.

Work is set to start on the improvements to the Devon section of the England Coast Path, and it will also see the implementation of new coastal access legislation, which will help to safeguard the future of the route.

Steve Church, the secretary of the South West Coast Path Association, said the announcement by Natural England was ‘great news’.

‘It will help to secure the existing route from Kingswear to Lyme Regis. The coast path has taken a battering in the past few years following severe winter storms, and when a section is lost, it can take years before it is re-opened.’

‘This not only impacts on walkers, both locals and visitors, it can also have a huge effect on local businesses who rely on the trade that walkers bring. Once these new coastal access provisions are implemented, not only will the authorities be able to re-instate the path in weeks or months, it will also be much cheaper, and so less of a strain on their already stretched budgets.

‘Also welcome, is that once the legislation is implemented it will formalise for the first time, the public’s right to access most beaches and headlands – whereas currently landowners have the right to prevent the public from using them.

‘Whilst there will be some new paths created, it is expected that in most locations the route of the South West Coast Path will remain unchanged.

‘Any changes will be in those few locations where the path is currently routed away from the coast, but there are seaward fields, woods, or coastal slopes (but not gardens) that would provide a better walking experience.

‘Landowners also benefit from reduced liability for any accidents that may occur when people are exercising their new rights.’

The government aims to have a path right around the coast of England by 2020, and gaps in the south west path will be completed.