Release date: 17 June 2026
Residents across West Sussex are enjoying the county’s coast and countryside like never before, thanks to major upgrades to public paths that are making them safer, more accessible and more enjoyable to explore.
The improvements, delivered over the last financial year, covered more than 4,000km of footpaths, bridleways, boardwalks and byways and include:
- More than 1,200 new or upgraded signs to help people explore with confidence
- 230km of paths cleared to keep routes open and accessible
- 20 tonnes of new surfacing laid to improve path quality
- 100 metres of boardwalk installed in wetter areas
- Around 200 bridges repaired or replaced
A dedicated team of volunteers played a vital role in supporting the programme, contributing around 50 days of their time to inspect routes and carry out essential maintenance tasks.
Improving accessibility remains a key priority for the Council, with over 40 traditional country stiles replaced by easy-to-use gates as part of the upgrading programme. This is helping to open up the countryside to families, older residents and people with limited mobility, making it easier for more people to enjoy West Sussex’s natural beauty.
Larger-scale improvements include over 7km of resurfaced paths, alongside new bridge and drainage works, helping to ensure routes remain accessible and reliable all year round.
A stand-out achievement is the completion of the King Charles III England Coast Path between West Wittering and Emsworth, providing residents and visitors with access to a spectacular, continuous 200-mile coastal walking route.
Michele Hulme, WSCC Head of Local Highways Operations, said:
“This ambitious programme of improvements highlights our commitment to helping people make the most of West Sussex’s outstanding coast and countryside. By improving access and creating better-quality routes, we’re enabling more residents to get active and connect with nature.
"The completion of the King Charles III England Coast Path is a landmark moment. As well as providing a stunning, accessible long-distance route, it will attract visitors from across the country and deliver a real boost to our coastal communities and local economy.”
