Draft Length 10 Thorness Bay to Cowes Chain Ferry Introduction The southern section of this length of coast is largely (mud and sand) beach edged with landslip. Landward of this is agricultural land with occasional holiday buildings until the popular beach resort of Gurnard. North of Gurnard Bay, the path becomes increasing urban and restricted by the residential or business premises of Cowes. The path rises from Thorness Bay along a landslip area. Whilst the path is often some way from the sea, there are elevated views along the coast. The blue slipper clay results in constant slippage and also leads to muddy and slippy walking conditions. A much wider path is needed to reduce this hazard. The path follows a road parallel with Gurnard Bay and into Gurnard itself. From here the path follows the esplanade passing Rosetta Cottage (where Winston Churchill s parents met and married), and The Royal Yacht Squadron, one of the world s preeminent yacht clubs, based at Cowes Castle. The route necessarily follows the town shopping area and heads towards the chain ferry.
Key map references 1 SZ 4549 9337 2 SZ 4563 9342 3 SZ 4599 9369 4 SZ 4641 9461 5 SZ 4700 9528 6 SZ 4707 9525 Ref Location Land type/use, Path information, historic sites & ancient monuments Photos and detail maps 10.1 1 to 3 The path in this section CB24 meanders on or is close to the beach, adjacent to fence lines and very close to mean high water View northwards from Thorness Bay Holiday park
10.2 2 A footbridge needed to take walkers on CB24 above mean high water is dilapidated and in need of repair. It is much overgrown and so seems not to be presently much used. An alternative might be to reroute the new path on the landward side of the fence line i.e. to join the route of CB3 but a gap in the hedge would need to be made to allow access to it. This would also avoid a region of the path that becomes extremely narrow at high tide. Footbridge viewed from the south 10.3 3 to 5 View of Thorness bay from the Coastal Path CB24 (looking south) showing examples of chalets and landslip Where the footpath CB2 joins from Whippance Farm the existing Coastal Path crosses to the landward side of the fence line for a short section before returning to the seaward side. It starts to climb, and keeps close to the fence. Landward of the fence is largely agricultural land, but often also with holiday chalets. Seaward, the view from the existing path is often obscured by the hedgerows or woodland. Where there is a view, this is often because there has been landslip and this is often associated with the path being compromised.
10.4 4 Boardwalk whose foundations are affected by landslip Several sections of this part of the existing path (CS17) have been repaired after landslip but are in need of further work to bring these up to the standard required for a National Trail. The narrow path is often slippy and is bordered by barbed wire; a recipe for accidents. The whole path should be widened to improve surface conditions and avoid barbed wire. 10.5 5 Following erosion of CS16 adjacent to residential land, the path has been closed and a short section of new permissive path takes the Coastal Path inland towards Rew Street and where Gurnard Luck joins the sea. The land adjacent to this permissive path is currently subject to a planning application for new housing. Path closed sign : Gurnard 10.6 6 Just north of the bridge over Gurnard Luck, a short section of footpath, CS35 leading to CS36, on the shoreline uses a narrow, elevated concrete walkway seaward of a restaurant and beach huts. At high tide and in inclement conditions this is dangerous to use. The existing Coastal Path therefore follows the Marsh Road (7), but this is narrow and without any pavement. Footpath CS35
Key Map References 7 SZ 4750 9544 8 SZ 4772 9566 9 SZ 4773 9587 10 SZ 4863 9663 11 SZ 4943 9654 12 SZ 5001 9561
10.7 7 to 10 The current Coastal path follows Worsley Road and then into a footway, rejoining the beach road. There is a café and toilets situated at the beach.(9) Alternative route through Gurnard Cliff An alternative route is possible by descending from the green at (8) with steps and woodland to reach the beach at Gurnard Bay. A private footpath returns to the esplanade and café area.(9) View along the shoreline at Gurnard Bay to the south from (9)
10.8 10 to 11 looking south from Egypt Esplanade Travelling clockwise from Gurnard, the existing Coastal Path largely follows the wide pavements of Gurnard Esplanade, Egypt Esplanade, passing Rosetta Cottage (10). It then continues along the esplanade, passing a municipal garden, to the Royal Yacht Squadron Club (11) and into Cowes town itself. For the most part, these offer excellent panoramic views of the sea. The proposed route then necessarily follows the main town area and on to the chain ferry.(12) Summary of Opportunities and Access Issues a) Address the issue of erosion of the coastal path by providing suitable walkways/bridges or by rerouting the path onto what is now agricultural land. Widen path and remove barbed wire fencing. b) The alternative route from 8 to 9 needs further exploration at all tidal conditions