URL: https://westsussex.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2349

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport (Cllr Joy Dennis)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) is a new long-distance National Trail being created for walkers by Natural England (NE) to follow the entire coastline of England. The final section in West Sussex from West Wittering beach to the Hampshire border will be completed by 31 March 2026.   Once the trail is open, the County Council as the local Access Authority becomes responsible for the ongoing maintenance, monitoring and promotion of the trail. At that stage, NE provides annual trail maintenance funding to each Access Authority, with an uplift if they are part of a regional Trail Partnership.   The County Council will join the four other Access Authorities in the region, Hampshire County Council, New Forest National Park Authority, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council to establish a new Trail Partnership to be called the Solent to Sussex Coast Path Partnership.    

Content: The King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) is a new long-distance National Trail being created for walkers by Natural England (NE) to follow the entire coastline of England. The final section in West Sussex from West Wittering beach to the Hampshire border will be completed by 31 March 2026.   Once the trail is open, the County Council as the local Access Authority becomes responsible for the ongoing maintenance, monitoring and promotion of the trail. At that stage, NE provides annual trail maintenance funding to each Access Authority, with an uplift if they are part of a regional Trail Partnership.   The County Council will join the four other Access Authorities in the region, Hampshire County Council, New Forest National Park Authority, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council to establish a new Trail Partnership to be called the Solent to Sussex Coast Path Partnership.     The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport has –   (1)approved the establishment of a National Trail Partnership to manage the KCIIIECP in the Solent and West Sussex region; and   (2)delegate authority to the Assistant Director (Highways, Transport and Planning) to approve any related Inter Authority Agreement and the appointment of an appropriate officer to the Partnership. None declared

Date of Decision: February 4, 2026