Coastal cycle path to bring East Yorkshire towns together
A CYCLE path along the cliff tops of the East Yorkshire coast could be created to bring the seaside towns together as one tourist destination.
The cycle path, from Flamborough to Spurn Point and then into Hull, was one of the ideas discussed at The Spa Bridlington earlier this week.
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LOOKING FORWARD: From left, Steve Green, of Bowles Green Consultancy; Ray Williamson, of Flag; Bridlington Renaissance Programme manager Jane Crossley; Bob Hillery, of the Bridlington Tourism Association; Bridlington Renaissance Partnership chairman Keith Kaye; and Andy Gray, tourism manager for VHEY. Picture: Simon Kench
The project, which is expected to cost £300,000, was unveiled by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY).
The tourism group, which is now looking into funding, hopes the route would match the success of the recent Yorkshire Wolds cycle route, which generated £500,000 for the economy in the first three months it was introduced.
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Andy Gray, VHEY's tourism manager, said: "There is a lot of potential in the area and a lot of hidden gems that visitors miss out on.
"The aim of this project is to link the coastal destinations of Withernsea, Hornsea and Bridlington with Hull."
VHEY recently commissioned the study to explore the potential for an East Coast tourist trail, focusing primarily on the development of cycling, walking, angling, nature tourism and heritage, including maritime heritage.
The purpose of the trail would be to increase income generated from visitors along the coast.
Bob Hillery, president of the Bridlington Tourism Association, was among the guests in Bridlington who saw a short presentation about the potential plans drawn up by Steve Green, of Bowles Green Consulting, said: "It's a step in the right direction and you've got to start somewhere.
"It is a no-lose situation for us.
"We have all these facilities, which need to be put and promoted together. It is quite bitty along the coast at the minute.
"The coast-to-coast routes prove very popular. We see dozens of cyclists coming to Bridlington."
Colin O'Connor, Hornsea Town Council clerk, said: "It was a positive report and it seemed popular with everyone in Bridlington.
"There is a lot of untapped potential in this area, which would benefit from a tourism push.
"This is a beautiful coastline. The land rises up a mile inland so you get nice views out to the sea."
Mr O'Connor, who is a keen road cyclist, said: "The current problem cycling along the coast comes when you get to Lissett and you hit the extremely busy A165."
The aim of the study is to attract tourists to the East Coast and for them to stay overnight in the region.
Mr Gray said: "The aim is to keep visitors in East Yorkshire and spend more money in the area.
"It would create new employment as well as supporting local businesses.
"As well as the walking and cycling, we want to promote the public transport links between the towns.
"We want to promote the area first and foremost in the UK and urge people to holiday closer to home.
"We would also look to increase the number of tourists from northern Europe."
VHEY will now work up the plans in more detail and look into possible funding.
If everything goes to plan, the cycle and walking route could be in place by 2015.
Comments
by milly2020
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 9:37AM
“good idea but what about coastal erosion, i live on the coast and we lose approx 10 mtrs a year more if its been a bad winter, every year for 7 years i have taken photos of aldbrough cliffs and a bungalow a year has dropped into the sea, it has to been seen to be believed how bad this is”
by Phil_melton
Monday, October 22 2012, 3:00PM
“Deffo a great idea! id use it. would be a great ride in summer plus all the pubs you would pass in the villages not a bad idea at all :)”
by zacklaws
Monday, October 22 2012, 5:17AM
“And how long will it last, too close to the cliffs and it will be money down the drain when coastal errosion washes it away, too far away from the sea....and it will not be worth bothering with......till erosion catches up with it”
by glen1954
Sunday, October 21 2012, 9:36PM
“Great idea ,we do have some fantastic sights in this area,cycling along the Humber is a good enough for me but im sure fitter cyclists will be more than happy cycle the full coastline. Bring it on i say.”
by india7
Sunday, October 21 2012, 9:12PM
“Yes please.”
by democracy_now
Saturday, October 20 2012, 9:33PM
“Decent idea.”
by Clem_
Saturday, October 20 2012, 1:10PM
“What a good idea. I shall not ride it myself but will think about it from time to time.”
by voyager990
Saturday, October 20 2012, 10:46AM
“i think this is a brilliant idea, would certainly use it for day rides with the family and cycle the full route although i have to say that existing cycle routes could also do with some attention having recently cycled the transpennine trail from southport to hornsea i found the most negectled sections were in the hessle area and then out towards hornsea.”