New coastal path between Fairhaven and Lytham staying closed

Fylde Council has posted signs at the walkway between Fairhaven and Church Scar, Lytham advising that it remaining closed until further notice.

The path, which has been shut since January 2018, is the first part of the £21.8 sea defences project in the area to be completed and was due to reopen at the end of March.

But a spokesman for Fylde Council said: “Work at Church Scar has now completed but due to the current coronavirus pandemic and the advice around social distancing and staying home, the council has made the decision to keep the area closed so as not to encourage groups of people to visit the area.

“Due to the current coronavirus pandemic the advice from central government is to stay home and only leave your home for essentials such as food, medicine, medical care or local daily exercise.

“The reason for not opening Church Scar to the public as scheduled is in line with this advice.

“Re-opening Church Scar to the public would go against the advice by seemingly encouraging members of the public to attend the area when it is not necessary.

“There are plenty of areas around the Church Scar area which have been used by local residents for exercise over the period it has been closed.

“We would encourage residents to continue to use these until we reach a stage that the social distancing measures are no longer needed and Church Scar can safely be re-opened to the public.”