An 'emotional' Rishi Sunak joined a celebration in the Yorkshire Dales marking the Coast to Coast Walk’s new status as one of the UK’s National Trails.
The event at the Dales Bike Centre in Fremington, near Reeth, recognised the efforts of the many people and organisations who helped bring Alf Wainright’s 192-mile route across the North of England up to the standard required for official recognition.
It also marked a milestone for those who have long campaigned to see the famed walk upgraded to National Trail status.
They included Mr Sunak, the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, who launched a campaign for National Trail status not long after he was first elected MP for the area.
David Butterworth, chief executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, opened the event and acknowledged Mr Sunak’s contribution.
He said: "The idea about the walk being upgraded through National Trail designation had been talked about but nothing had been achieved until Rishi took up the cause.
"National Trail status appeared in his party’s manifesto for the General Election of 2019 and a Government announcement that it would be made a National Trail followed.
"And we wouldn’t be here today without Rishi’s help in getting it over the line."
Mr Butterworth also praised the work of his team, led by Alan Hulme, head of park management, for their efforts in improving the route to meet National Trail requirements.
Upgrades included waymarking and the installation of thousands of flagstones across some of the wettest sections in upper Swaledale.
He also recognised Hazel Thomas of Natural England for her longstanding work on the nation’s trail network.
Mr Sunak expressed his gratitude to those who supported the campaign and carried out the improvements following the Government’s allocation of £5.6 million for the project.
He said: "You’ll have to forgive me if I get a bit emotional about this moment because this day – National Trail status for what I believe is a national treasure – is among my proudest achievements as the MP for this area."
He emphasised the economic importance of the trail to businesses along the route, recalling a conversation in 2015 with Steve Knight, landlord of the White Swan pub in Danby Wiske.
Mr Sunak said: "Steve Knight told me how the accommodation he provided for Coast to Coasters was absolutely vital for his business.
"He also mentioned the anomaly that the walk – one of the most famous in the world which brought hundreds of international visitors to his pub every year – was not one of the UK National Trails.
"I launched the campaign a few months later."
He also acknowledged the support of the Wainwright Society and presented a commemorative Coast to Coast fingerpost sign to Derek Cockell, the organisation’s former secretary.
Mr Sunak was in turn presented with a similar sign by Mr Butterworth in recognition of his efforts.
Other speakers included Brenda Price, who co-owns the Dales Bike Centre with her husband Stuart.
Ms Price said: "I cannot overstate the importance of the Coast to Coast Walk to businesses like ours.
"Running any business in this part of the country has its unique challenges and we need every bit of help to be sustainable, to employ people, and develop what we have here.
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"National Trail status for the walk is a huge boost for us and thousands of businesses along the length of the walk."
Mr Sunak’s campaign for National Trail status began nearly a decade ago in Reeth.
He built a broad coalition of support, enlisting more than 70 parish councils, national parks, and other organisations.
The MP also raised the issue in Parliament, securing a special Westminster Hall debate and lobbying ministers on the trail’s economic significance.
