Funding is being sought for a bridge over the A19 to stop Coast to Coast walkers risking their lives crossing the dual-carriageway, although national park chiefs admit the bid is “speculative”.
North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) has applied to National Highways for funding for a footbridge over the road near Ingleby Arncliffe.
The Coast to Coast Walk, which is used by more than 6,000 people a year, stretches from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.
It will be officially declared a National Trail next month in a move supporters hope will bring in funding to improve the route, increase its popularity and secure its future.
A diversion from the traditional route set out by celebrated fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright in 1973 has been put in place to discourage walkers from crossing the A19 at Ingleby Arncliffe.
But there is consensus that the ideal solution would be to build a footbridge where the route meets the arterial road near Exelby Services.
A report to next week’s NYMNPA finance, risk and audit committee notes that an application has been submitted for funding of between £6m and £10m for a green bridge.
Joel Brookfield, NYMNPA director of recreation and wellbeing, said the application was made to the National Highways’ capital programme, which offered capital funding for improvement works adjacent to the strategic highway network.
Mr Brookfield said he understood the authority was still waiting for a response to the submission, which he described as “speculative”.
He added: “The current A19 bridge situation is that a feasibility and technical survey for a crossing at Ingleby Arncliffe was commissioned by Defra and completed, but the project was then put on hold. This was in early 2025.
“There has been no progress since then, other than the creation of a formal diversionary route of the Coast to Coast National Trail, which uses the Black Swan Bridge at Trenholme Bar.”
The funding bid has the support of Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond and Northallerton, who helped secure the funds for the Coast to Coast Walk to be made a National Trail.
He said: “I hope National Highways will take this forward.
“While National Trail status is secured and the official opening will take place next month, a footbridge at Ingleby Arncliffe over the A19 is ultimately the best option for the thousands of walkers who tackle the trail every year.”
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