Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has officially opened a new permissive footpath linking historic Footpaths 416 and 417, creating a fully accessible circular walk around Westhampnett and the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. The initiative, instigated and funded entirely by the marque, marks the culmination of a year-long programme to improve local footpath infrastructure and provide residents, schoolchildren, and visitors with a practical, environmentally friendly travel option.
The ceremonial opening was attended by Councillor Jeremy Hunt of West Sussex County Council, with Werner Lulay, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Director of Finance, hosting the walk along the newly completed route. Running parallel to an existing bridleway, the footpath link transforms previously overgrown, narrow, and often impassable paths into a year-round, all-weather route for walkers.
“The opening of this new permissive footpath is the culmination of a year-long project to improve access and infrastructure, as part of our commitment to supporting the wider ‘green travel’ agenda,” said Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “For the first time in living memory, these historic rights of way are fully accessible to everyone, providing a real, practical alternative to the car for short journeys, including walking children to and from school. We are grateful to the Parish and County Councils, and local residents, for their support and enthusiasm throughout.”
The project builds on improvements to Footpaths 416 and 417, which were upgraded over the past year. Footpath 416, connecting Westerton and Westhampnett, reopened in August 2024 with resurfacing and landscaping timed to coincide with the new school year. Footpath 417 received similar enhancements, widening, and landscaping, and was inaugurated in December 2024 by Chichester MP Jess Fuller-Brown. Both paths have quickly become popular with local residents and visitors exploring the scenic West Sussex countryside.
Beyond their practical benefits, the upgrades demonstrate Rolls-Royce’s commitment to being a responsible neighbour and supporting the local community. The footpaths are now suitable for all users, ensuring that everyone—from families walking children to school, to leisure walkers enjoying the countryside—can enjoy safe, accessible, and environmentally friendly routes throughout the year.
This project also reflects Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ ethos of going beyond statutory obligations. While the improvements were not a requirement of the marque’s planning permission for its facilities, the company proactively chose to invest in the community. By engaging closely with Westhampnett Parish Council and West Sussex County Council, Rolls-Royce ensured that the footpaths meet the needs of both local residents and visitors, enhancing mobility and connectivity across the villages.
The new circular walk now provides a “clean boots” route—a nod to the ease and comfort with which the paths can be traversed even in wet conditions—offering a scenic journey through the heart of Westhampnett, around the Home of Rolls-Royce, and through some of West Sussex’s most picturesque landscapes.
For Rolls-Royce, the footpath project is more than infrastructure; it is an expression of the brand’s long-standing philosophy of care, community, and stewardship. By creating an accessible and sustainable walking route, Rolls-Royce is fostering a culture of green travel while strengthening its connection with the local community.
As local residents, families, and visitors enjoy the new route, the initiative stands as a reminder of how thoughtful investment in community infrastructure can have lasting benefits. In Westhampnett, a simple footpath now symbolizes collaboration, accessibility, and Rolls-Royce’s enduring commitment to being more than just a neighbour—it is a partner in the life and wellbeing of the village.
