A SEVERELY blocked public footpath complete with broken clapper bridge has been reopened by Cornwall Council following a campaign by The Ramblers and the Open Spaces Society.

The half-mile path in the parish of St Buryan, three-and-a-half miles south of Penzance, runs parallel to the King Charles III England Coast Path/South West Coast Path near Kemyel Crease nature reserve.

The path affords breathtaking panoramic coastal views, contouring the headland above Slinke Dean without any appreciable loss of height, and provides an alternative and easier route to the coast path. Despite this, it had been inaccessible for several decades.

The clearance follows several years of appealing to Cornwall Council, which as highway authority has a legal duty to keep paths clear of obstruction. In March 2021, Ken Sharp, a volunteer and campaigner on behalf of both organisations but acting first for the Ramblers, served a legal notice on the council, which agreed the path was high priority but took no enforcement action.

Further notices were served, work was scheduled and cancelled, and in April 2025, the Ramblers instructed a barrister to send a pre-action protocol letter, threatening court action if the council failed to act.

Just as the Ramblers were on the point of going to court, in late November Cormac demonstrated sufficient commitment to complete the scheduled works. Legal action was called off, the path was cleared of vegetation and infrastructure work was finally completed in late April 2026.

“I am delighted that the Ramblers and Open Spaces Society have achieved the reopening of this fabulous route which has been ‘lost’ for nearly 70 years,” said Ken. “It’s a truly delightful path, and the collapsed clapper-bridge was a hidden gem. Now walkers can once again enjoy this splendid alternative to the coast path, with its fine views and level contours.”

Helen Clayton, case officer with the Open Spaces Society, added: “This is a great example of a determined volunteer, with backing from national bodies, making a real difference. We are grateful to Ken for his diligence, to the Ramblers for leading on this case, and to Cornwall Council, Cormac, and the West Cornwall Footpaths Preservation Society for finally clearing the route.”

A Cornwall Council spokesperson said: “Reopening this footpath, which had not been fully walkable for at least 70 years, required careful consideration of historic features, sensitive coastal landscape, and long-standing structural issues including restoration of the clapper bridge.

“By working collaboratively with those who know the path best, we were able to ensure that repairs were carried out in a way that respected its character while making it safe and accessible for the public once again.

“We acknowledge the determination of Ken Sharp and the support of both the Ramblers and the Open Spaces Society in ensuring this path’s importance was recognised.

“We would also like to thank the West Cornwall Footpath Preservation Society, who were involved in the original surveying and historical understanding of this route in 1956. Their local knowledge and long-term commitment were invaluable in bringing this path back into safe use.”