There may not have been a fanfare or a ribbon-cutting ceremony, but there was a welcome walk for those that were able to declare the coastal path connecting Wisemans Bridge and Coppet Hall finally re-opened.
The local community have been thanked for their patience as the landslide-hit route between Wiseman’s Bridge and Coppet Hall/Saundersfoot opened back up to the public on August 7, after it had experienced ‘substantial rock falls’ late last year and this year.
The January major fall happened at the Coppet Hall end of this section of path, while a November landslide was closer toward the Wisemans Bridge end. A third more recent landslip also occurred on the path - known as the dramway.
Pembrokeshire County Council commissioned work to stabilise the cliffs and tunnels to enable the path to reopen.
The Local Authority has said previously that the work to stabilise the cliffs and tunnels so that the path could be re-opened was likely to cost around £600,000.
At the March meeting of PCC’s Cabinet, members backed the works, with a hoped-for finish date of the start of the summer holidays.
However, the council the went onto say that those works had been delayed until early August “as a consequence of additional works required, including the occurrence of another landslip along the path,” with additional remedial works needed.
Potential delays were also caused by some people ignoring the closure signs, and going onto cause damage to the security fencing and gates, to gain access.
Cabinet Member for Resident’s Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said: “This was a significant rock fall so I would like to thank the teams who have worked hard to ensure the path reopened for communities and visitors to enjoy.”
County councillor for Saundersfoot’s north ward Alec Cormack commented: “The Council team have done great work on this project – it’s great to see the path now reopened. This is an extremely busy path.”
Cllr Chris Williams, county councillor for the seaside village’s south ward added: “This path is important to residents and businesses and I would like to congratulate Pembrokeshire County Council for getting the work done as soon as possible – and in time for the remainder of summer. I would also like to thank the local community for their patience during the work.”
Cllr Williams had previously stated the importance of the path to businesses in the locality.