Popular footpath is reopened following important repairs

A popular coastal footpath has been reopened in Alnmouth following repairs by Northumberland County Council and Northumberland Estates.
From left to right: Tony Derbyshire of Northumberland County Council; John Angus of K W Purvis Ltd; Robin Smeaton of Northumberland Estates; Leon Walsh of Patrick Parsons.From left to right: Tony Derbyshire of Northumberland County Council; John Angus of K W Purvis Ltd; Robin Smeaton of Northumberland Estates; Leon Walsh of Patrick Parsons.
From left to right: Tony Derbyshire of Northumberland County Council; John Angus of K W Purvis Ltd; Robin Smeaton of Northumberland Estates; Leon Walsh of Patrick Parsons.

The public stretch, known locally as Lover’s Walk, was closed for safety reasons in February when the sea wall retaining the path began to slump and the path’s surface became unsafe to use.  

Northumberland Estates agreed a programme of works with the council and engaged consultant engineers, Patrick Parsons, to design and oversee the repair works which were carried out by local firm KW Purvis Ltd.  

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The county council shared the cost of the repairs with the Estates, which involved the rebuilding of approximately 25 metres of the sea wall and the construction of new foundations.

County Coun Ian Swithenbank, cabinet member for local services, said: “I am delighted that this popular path has been reopened following repairs, allowing people to access once again this well-used and much-loved path along the Northumberland coast.”

Lover’s Walk follows the estuary of the River Aln from The Duchess’s road bridge towards the centre of Alnmouth village. The path is a popular daily stroll along the estuary and forms part of the Northumberland Coast Path and St Oswald’s Way trail.

Alnwick county councillors Gordon Castle and Heather Cairns expressed their delight that the stretch has reopened.

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Robin Smeaton, Northumberland Estates’ building manager, added: “This is a popular walking route throughout the year and everyone was keen to get it reopened as soon as possible. 

“The construction team faced a difficult task, working around some challenging tides and conditions, but thankfully all went to plan and we were able to complete the project on time.”