Businesses, communities and other stakeholders are being asked to share their views on new plans to expand the 200-mile Cumbria Coastal Route, or CCR 200, for a wider range of users.
Launched in 2020 to inspire motorhome and campervan owners to explore Cumbria’s coastal gems, one of the key actions in Cumbria’s recently-launched Destination Management Plan is to develop the ‘CCR 200’ concept as a sustainable, active travel route involving train hopping, cycling, walking, horse riding, camping and more.
The route would link Morecambe Bay and Cumbria’s west coast with the Eden Valley and Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, along with further connections into the Cumbrian sections of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The CCR 200 would then be promoted in a similar way to other well-known multi-day and multi-use trails nationally and internationally such as Ireland’s ‘Wild Atlantic Way’.
To turn the idea into a reality, a new Cumbria Coastal Route (CCR 200) Viability Study is being funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and supported by Cumberland Council, Westmorland & Furness Council and Sellafield Ltd.
The study is being co-ordinated by Cumbria Tourism and GC Insight, who will be exploring and testing the potential opportunities to expand the CCR 200 and position it as a multi-user tourism ‘route’ of national and international significance.
In turn, it’s hoped this would support future economic growth and appeal of Cumbria’s coast as a great place to visit, live, work and invest.
To help gather local feedback and ideas, businesses, communities and other key stakeholders can book onto one of two free workshops on Tuesday 26 November at Rosehill Theatre in Whitehaven (9.45am – 12pm) or Furness College in Barrow (2.15pm – 4.30pm).
Anyone who is unable to attend but would like to be involved in the consultation can share their views by completing the survey here by 30 November 2024.