A FUND-raising appeal has been launched to help clear ‘significant damage’ on Exmoor caused by Storm Darragh.

Many paths on Exmoor’s 620 miles rights of way network were battered by fallen trees and sections of the South West Coast Path, Two Moors Way, and Coleridge Way suffered major blockages.

Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) rangers have been putting extra time into inspecting routes and liaising with partners including the National Trust and other landowners to reopen paths as soon as possible.

Exmoor National Park Authority is appealing for funds to help meet the cost of clearing up after Storm Darragh. IMAGE: ENPA.
Exmoor National Park Authority is appealing for funds to help meet the cost of clearing up after Storm Darragh. IMAGE: ENPA. ( )

The authority’s field services teams have worked hard and cleared more than 120 trees from blocked routes, including in North Hill, Minehead, and the Pinkery outdoor education centre, near Simonsbath.

The teams are currently working to clear the coast path between Porlock Weir and Countisbury, and the Tarr Steps circular walk.

Some popular walks at Dunkery Beacon, Valley of Rocks, Wimbleball and Haddon Hill, and Porlock Marsh are still open, and Tarr Steps’ east bank walk is currently open as far as Hinds Pitt Bridge.

But the authority warned it might still be several weeks before some long-distance routes were fully reopened and advised against trying to walk any of the affected paths in woodland areas until they were cleared.

Now, the national park authority has launched a public appeal for funding help which can be found here.

ENPA chief executive Sarah Bryan said: “This comes at a time when we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Exmoor’s designation of the national park as well as the 75th anniversary of the pioneering National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949) which helped ensure access for the nation to some of our most special places.

“The national park has a fantastic network of paths that provide great benefits to people and support many of our local businesses.

“ENPA’s skilled field services team are out working on trees full-time with tractors and other machinery to get our most important routes open and safe.”

Ms Bryan said people should report any rights of way still blocked by fallen trees via https://roam.somerset.gov.uk or email [email protected] with location details and a photograph if possible.