PLANS to create a tidal trail along the North Somerset coast have hit a rocky road, despite overwhelming support for the project. Proposals for a path, which would run between Clevedon and Weston, were put forward for public consultation by North Somerse

PLANS to create a tidal trail along the North Somerset coast have hit a rocky road, despite overwhelming support for the project.Proposals for a path, which would run between Clevedon and Weston, were put forward for public consultation by North Somerset Council.The local authority received 400 positive responses and 50 objections from members of the public.But the authority's executive member for strategic planning, John Crockford-Hawley, says the proposals have suffered a 'slight hiccup'. Natural England has asked for an environmental impact assessment to be carried out but the local authority does not know what type the organisation requires.Cllr Crockford-Hawley said: "We have asked Natural England to tell us what sort of assessment it requires."We have also asked it why no environmental impact assessment was required for a similar project near the Exe Estuary in Devon."The path would create a continuous coastal trail from Sand Bay to Clevedon, via Wick St Lawrence.A Natural England spokesman said: "We have asked for an appropriate assessment to be carried out because of the bird population in that area."It has special protection under European law and so it would need to be looked into.