Work has begun to enhance a bridleway and public footpath.

Improvements are being made to the path between Lyme Regis seafront and the village of Uplyme. The aim of the River Lim Path project is to improve the path, whilst retaining and enhancing its natural character and to improve access for both visitors and local people.

As part of the project, the enhanced path will be promoted as a key route to and from Lyme and Uplyme, for all users, with information boards planned at key locations. The footpath also links with the East Devon Way, the South West Coast Path and a number of other local walking routes that encourage visitors to explore the area, whilst providing an attractive environment.

The project and schedule of works have been prepared in consultation with, and agreed by, the countryside footpath teams in both Dorset and Devon Highway Authorities.

The project also involves providing a new footway on the western side of the B3165, within the highway verge, which will improve access to the East Devon Way, as well as Uplyme village hall. This part of the project is planned to be started in mid-May and will last four to five weeks.

Most of the remaining work will involve resurfacing the existing path with stone, but some new steps will be provided, a new bridge into Bumpy field, as well as drainage and improved wooden finger post signs, where required. Work has started in Devon, but is planned to also start on the Dorset side of the county boundary in the next month.

Project officer Nikki Parker-Goadsby, from Dorset Coastal Connections, said: "We’re really pleased to see councils working in partnership to enable work to start to improve this beautiful path for local people and visitors."

The River Lim Path project is part of the Dorset Coastal Connections portfolio of 18 projects along the Dorset Coast which aims to support and boost the economies of Dorset’s coastal areas.

The project is being funded by a grant from the government’s Coastal Communities Fund and partner organisations, and coordinated by Dorset Coast Forum. The Lyme Regis to Uplyme path project is led by LymeForward.