Collection

King Charles III England Coast Path: Southend-on-Sea to Wallasea Island

Find out about the progress of improving coastal access – including maps, process and timing – in Essex.

The 59.2 km (36.8 miles) stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) from Southend-on-Sea to Wallasea Island is now open to the public. Coastal access rights came into force along this stretch of coast on 7 July 2022 by order of the Secretary of State.

Map of the stretch

The route is available to view on the National Trails website.

The maps in Natural England’s original reports to the Secretary of State also show the route of the KCIIIECP along this stretch of coast and the adjoining land that is coastal margin, as approved by the Secretary of State on 18 March 2021.

Stage of progress

Stage 5: Open

If you are planning a walk on the ECP, check our interactive access maps for details of local access restrictions and coast path diversions which may apply at certain times.

Coastal access rights normally apply to all land that is coastal margin - including any land seaward of the route - unless it falls into a category of excepted land.

Use the links below to see details of the Secretary of State’s decision to approve Natural England’s proposals and for guidance on your rights and responsibilities if the ECP passes through your land.

Find out more about the England Coast Path

See information about all stretches in preparation around England’s coast.

The coastal access scheme gives details of the process being followed to improve access to the coast.

Contact the coastal access team

Contact Natural England with any comments, suggestions or queries you have about improving coastal access.

Coastal access delivery team (Essex)

Natural England
Eastbrook
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge
CB2 8DR

Email essexcoastalaccess@naturalengland.org.uk

Telephone 020 8026 5727

See the map below for information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of Essex.

Published 30 June 2017
Last updated 7 July 2022 + show all updates
  1. Updated the page to show this stretch is now open to the public.

  2. Page updated to show the remaining section in this stretch - SWI4 - has been approved.

  3. Added table showing the reports which make up the collection. Page updated to show that 4 of the 6 reports have received Secretary of State approval.

  4. Page updated to show this stretch is now at stage 4.

  5. Removed the sentence giving a date for when access is expected to be ready. Publication of the report is expected in autumn 2019.

  6. Date amended: publication of report now expected in 2019.

  7. Page updated to show stretch now at stage 2/3

  8. First published.