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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| More money spent on storm-battered South West Coast Path | More money spent on storm-battered South West Coast Path |
| (10 days later) | |
| High winds in February felled lots of trees along the path which had to be cleared | High winds in February felled lots of trees along the path which had to be cleared |
| Maintaining a 630 mile (1,014 km) coast path is costing more due to damage caused by stormy weather, a charity has said. | Maintaining a 630 mile (1,014 km) coast path is costing more due to damage caused by stormy weather, a charity has said. |
| The South West Coast Path Association said on average, in recent years, there had been up to a 70% increase in the amount spent for each mile of the South West Coast Path. | The South West Coast Path Association said on average, in recent years, there had been up to a 70% increase in the amount spent for each mile of the South West Coast Path. |
| In February, Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin battered the country. | In February, Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin battered the country. |
| The path stretches from Minehead to Poole. | The path stretches from Minehead to Poole. |
| Julian Gray, director of the association which looks after the path, said: "It doesn't matter what direction a storm comes in from it's going to hit some part of the trail and this year started with a bit of a bang in February, when we had three named storms coming in." | Julian Gray, director of the association which looks after the path, said: "It doesn't matter what direction a storm comes in from it's going to hit some part of the trail and this year started with a bit of a bang in February, when we had three named storms coming in." |
| In the winter of 2021/2022, the Met Office said six storms were named, which included a red wind warning issued for the South West. | In the winter of 2021/2022, the Met Office said six storms were named, which included a red wind warning issued for the South West. |
| In Teignmouth, boats were overturned in the rough conditions caused by Storm Eunice | In Teignmouth, boats were overturned in the rough conditions caused by Storm Eunice |
| Mr Gray said the February storms caused coastal erosion and high winds felled lots of tree close to the path, which had to be cleared. | Mr Gray said the February storms caused coastal erosion and high winds felled lots of tree close to the path, which had to be cleared. |
| He said stormy weather was therefore "increasing our cost for managing the coast path". | He said stormy weather was therefore "increasing our cost for managing the coast path". |
| "Five or six years ago we were spending around the figure of about a £1,000 a mile [per year], just to kind of maintain the path to the national trail standard," he said. | "Five or six years ago we were spending around the figure of about a £1,000 a mile [per year], just to kind of maintain the path to the national trail standard," he said. |
| "Now we're saying, £1,600 to £1,700 a mile [per year]. | "Now we're saying, £1,600 to £1,700 a mile [per year]. |
| "That gives you an idea how rapidly things are changing." | "That gives you an idea how rapidly things are changing." |
| Mr Gray said repairs included rebuilding bridges, removing storm-felled trees, and maintaining access | Mr Gray said repairs included rebuilding bridges, removing storm-felled trees, and maintaining access |
| He said current "inflationary pressures" were increasing costs further, but storm damage costs had been rising for several years. | He said current "inflationary pressures" were increasing costs further, but storm damage costs had been rising for several years. |
| Mr Gray said repairs included rebuilding bridges, removing storm-felled trees, and maintaining access. | Mr Gray said repairs included rebuilding bridges, removing storm-felled trees, and maintaining access. |
| He said in 2022 heavy rain also caused surface erosion and there were wildfires during the summer months - all "real threats" to the path and coastal areas. | He said in 2022 heavy rain also caused surface erosion and there were wildfires during the summer months - all "real threats" to the path and coastal areas. |
| In July, landowners, the National Trust, said dry ground and hot weather had probably caused the Bolberry Down fire | In July, landowners, the National Trust, said dry ground and hot weather had probably caused the Bolberry Down fire |
| At its peak, fire crews pumped 3,000 litres of water per minute from the sea to douse the Bolberry Down wildfire | At its peak, fire crews pumped 3,000 litres of water per minute from the sea to douse the Bolberry Down wildfire |
| He added the coast path was a "significant attraction" and used by about nine million people a year which brought in about £520m to the local economy. | He added the coast path was a "significant attraction" and used by about nine million people a year which brought in about £520m to the local economy. |
| Due to the pandemic he said there had been a "shift in the patterns of people using the trail, we're seeing more local people, using their local path". | Due to the pandemic he said there had been a "shift in the patterns of people using the trail, we're seeing more local people, using their local path". |
| In 2023, the association celebrates its 50th anniversary and is planning a relay walk along the entire coast path. | In 2023, the association celebrates its 50th anniversary and is planning a relay walk along the entire coast path. |
| Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. |