Coast art to boost walkers

WALKERS are to be encouraged to stroll along Felixstowe's five-mile coastline through a special art project.

Artist Elizabeth-Jane Grose has been commissioned to create artworks to improve the path and make it a real tourist attraction.

It is possible to walk from Felixstowe Ferry to Landguard at low tide as long as people take care on some of the shore sections, where it is sometimes necessary to climb over groynes and on slippery rocks.

Elsewhere the route is a mixture of paths, sea walls and promenade.

Tourism chiefs at Suffolk Coastal say the aim of the scheme is to create a new coastal leisure path designed to showcase the changing landscape.

It will focus on the four Martello towers it passes, Landguard Fort, and other coastal defences plus the spectacle of the Port of Felixstowe at the southern end of the walk.

Cabinet member Mary Neale said it was hoped the path will improve visitor access and create a new way for people to discover the area.

She said: “I am delighted to announce that the artist Elizabeth-Jane Grose has been commissioned to produce artworks that will give the path an identity, one that represents how far Felixstowe has come in recent years and where it sees itself in the future.

“As part of her research she is keen to hold a public consultation, in order to get to know the people of Felixstowe and be inspired by their memories, history, concerns and aspirations. This will probably take place later this year.

“Details of what the artist has planned will be revealed in March 2009.

“It is predicted that the path will take three years to complete.”

A Suffolk Coastal ARTS initiative funded by the Environment Agency, the route will also be designed to bring to light some of the important issues coastal environments face, such as climate change and sea defences.

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