TWO councillors from the Driffield area are calling for the scrapping of plans to create an "All England Coastal Path" in a bid to save cash.
Last year, a bill was passed by government agreeing to the introduction of a path around the whole of the English Coast.
The East Riding of Yorkshire Council, along with Cumbria, Kent, Norfolk and Somerset, were chosen as pilot areas and would be the first to see paths introduced.
Councillors Jane Evison and Jonathan Owen are taking a motion to Full Council today wh
ich recommends that the East Riding of Yorkshire Council should not become a pilot for the scheme and that the scheme in general should be scrapped.
Coun Evison, portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection, said: "The introduction of this scheme in the East Riding would cost and estimated £330,000.
"While we are to be a pilot for the scheme, the cost will not come directly out of our council taxpayers' pockets – but it is taxpayers' money one way or another and we are unsure at this stage who will be picking up the bill for the ongoing maintenance, which on our eroding coastline could be substantial.
"The introduction of this scheme, whilst very nice for walkers, would seem totally unjustified in the present economic climate and should be scrapped immediately."
Deputy Leader of the Council, Coun Jonathan Owen, said: "Representing a ward which includes one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Europe it makes me cross to see money being wasted on trying to provide a path around the coast when the money could be far better spent mitigating the misery caused to people and services that erosion brings.
"In these times of austerity there are more important priorities than having to provide and then maintain a path along our coastline that, by the very nature of the coast, would be constantly having to be replaced.
"Our coastal landowners have enough to contend with without this and I welcome calls for the project to be scrapped."
