Plan to encourage more visitors to the Essex Coast, with a plea to travel sustainably

Walking routes starting at train stations have been drawn up to encourage people to travel more sustainably to the Essex Coast.

Essex County Council has worked with the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership to devise walking routes around the stunning Essex coastline that are easily accessible by train.

The routes, available in four mini-guides, are linked to a wider Essex coast strategy, funded by the government’s Coastal Communities Fund, which aims to map the way to the Essex coast, encourage people to get there sustainably, boost economic regeneration and change people’s perceptions.

There are four mini-guides, each pointing the visitor to a different part of the Essex Coast via one of Greater Anglia’s rail branch lines.

They guide people to great places to walk or cycle and include tips on birdwatching, discovering unique wildlife and landscapes, as well as highlighting visitor attractions.

Each mini-guide includes a map of the best rail line to take to access four different parts of the Essex Coast – the Crouch Valley rail line (Wickford – Southminster), the Mayflower Line (Manningtree – Harwich), Sunshine Coast Line (Colchester – Clacton On Sea / Walton on the Naze) and the Southend line (Shenfield – Southend).

They are available at rail stations and on the Community Rail Partnership’s website at esscrp.org.uk.

Jayne Sumner, Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership Officer, said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this big project to introduce new visitors to the area by train.

“In choosing a green form of transport, they will be helping to protect the local environment by reducing the congestion and pollution from road traffic in the county’s towns and villages.”

Martin Moran, Greater Anglia’s Commercial, Customer Service and Train Presentation Director, said: “It’s so easy to get to the Essex Coast on a Greater Anglia train and have a day out that, literally, doesn’t cost the earth. Grab a bargain Advance fare and enjoy the area’s beautiful scenery and attractions without the stress and pollution caused by sitting in traffic.”

Cllr. Simon Walsh, Cabinet Member for Essex County Council’s Environment and Climate Change Action, said: “This is a really exciting project to get people visiting the area in an environmentally friendly way.

“The Essex Coast has so much to offer in terms of stunning landscapes, big skies and beautiful places to explore and as well as great food, places to stay and outdoor activities to enjoy.

“The Essex coast project plans to launch digital walking trails, including a geocache trail and an activity booklet for children to explore the coast.”

Photo credit: Greater Anglia

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