Network Rail has announced that the work on the footpath between Hessle and North Ferriby has now reopened.

The Hessle Foreshore footpath has been closed since March 2020 while work was carried out on the railway embankment to protect it from coastal erosion.

The £8m investment involved installing a new steel defence wall, which is around 138m long and 20m deep.

After coastal erosion, ground movement was detected in 2018 and the footpath needed to be closed while the work was carried out.

The track to the walking route has also been resurfaced, which makes the path easier to access for residents and also the Riding for the Disabled Charity who are based nearby.

The teams from Network rail and Story Contracting have also installed a concrete pad for new stables, cleared rubbish and replaced all the fencing and gates. They have also donated benches which will be installed on the walking trail and planted trees and habitats for reptiles and amphibians.

Final clearing up of the site is now taking place.

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said: “Installing this coastal defence has been a huge undertaking, but it was absolutely vital to make sure that towns and cities on the route stay connected and to provide passengers with a reliable railway. I’m glad that the footpath has now reopened so that residents can enjoy this walking route once more.”

Debra Pea, Group Organiser of North Ferriby Riding for the Disabled Group, said: “We are extremely grateful to both Network Rail and Story Contracting for the improvements they have carried out to our site over the past nine months in what has been, and still is, a very difficult time. Due to the pandemic, we haven’t been able to operate since March, however our horses and donkeys still need to be kept, so the improvements are one less worry for us.”

Patrick Wharam, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Countryside Access Manager, said: “The council is highly delighted with the news that the Yorkshire Wolds Way, one of a select group of National Trails, will shortly be back open. This route connects Hessle with Ferriby and is hugely popular with walkers and Trans Pennine Trail cyclists.”

“Network Rail and their team at Story Contracting have worked very closely in partnership with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Countryside Access Team, Riding for the Disabled, and the Parish Council to enhance Riverside Walkway and the Yorkshire Wolds Way, making the route wheelchair friendly. We expect this scenic route to be very popular during 2021, linking to the newly refurbished Black Mill and the Chalk Walk at the Humber Bridge Country Park.”

Caroline Ward, Head of Communication & Insight, RDA UK, said: “We are so grateful to Network Rail for the support they have given North Ferriby RDA group. The improvements to the site will make a huge difference to the volunteers and riders, as they look forward to reopening again after what has been a very difficult time for all our groups. Our thanks to everyone involved.”

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