Rising costs to maintain South West Coast Path reach over £1 million annually
The rising costs are due to the growing costs of climate change
The annual cost of maintaining the South West Coast Path has increased to over £1 million.
The cost has risen from £1,500 to £1,700 per mile, taking the yearly expense to over £1 million for the 630-mile path.
The South West Costal Path Association said the increase reflects growing costs associated with climate change impacts and ensuring safety and accessibility for an estimated 9 million annual visitors.
Tourism research reveals more visitors on the trail compared to a decade ago.
The cost of work on the path has doubled from £700,000 in 2020/21 to £1.4 million in 2024/25.
Julian Gray, Director of SWCPA, said, "Over the past forty years, we’ve seen the impacts of climate change turning from a potential future threat to extreme weather events impacting our lives.
"Along the Coast Path, these climate change impacts are accelerating natural processes such as coastal erosion. We are also seeing new threats such as heatwaves leading to wildfires, which can go underground and undermine the stability of the Trail."
Recent storms in 2026 – Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra – emphasized the path’s vulnerability to climate change with high winds uprooting trees, surface flooding from extreme rainfall eroding the path, leading to destructive cliff falls and landslips.
Lorna Sherriff, National Trail Officer at SWCPA, said, "The South West Coast Path is dynamic and ever-changing – that’s part of what makes it so special. But what storms Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra have shown us in just a few short weeks is how exposed the coastline has become. To continue to protect this iconic National Trail – and to future-proof it against more frequent and severe weather – we must invest in resilience, repair, and adaptation."
Visitors are being advised to take care and follow all safety signs and diversions along the path.