Local MP backs Newhaven Lib Dems campaign to 'Save Our Sands'

12.35.59pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 26th Apr 2006

First they closed the breakwater; now harbour owners Newhaven Port and Properties (NPP) have barricaded the steps leading down to West Beach!

Generations of local families have enjoyed using the only sandy beach for miles around, and will want to do so again this summer. NPP say that parts of the wall are dangerous, and could fall onto the beach.

Local Lib Dem campaigner and Town councillor, Carla Butler, says: "Newhaven town can boast the only sandy beach for many miles, with a considerable expanse of sand exposed at low tide. West Beach is a completely sandy beach enclosed within the western harbour breakwater, ideal for paddling and making sand castles at low tide.

Newhaven Port and Properties (NPP) has decided to close the steps to the West Beach for safety reasons and we want to ensure that any work is undertaken to make this area safe at the soonest opportunity so that the beach is open for the summer."

Newhaven MP, Norman Baker, backed Councillor Butler's statement saying: "I call on Newhaven Port and Properties to listen to the concerns of local residents and reopen this much-loved public space as soon as possible.

If repairs need to be made then so be it, but in the amount of time it took to measure, construct and make the barrier plus drill the holes on the promenade surely the repairs could have been completed or at the very least be well under way."

Newhaven Liberal Democrats have written to NPP, asking them to make repairs as soon as possible, so that the beach can be re-opened. Local Lib Dems have launched a petition, to back this call for repairs and for the beach to be open by the summer.

Sign our online petition.

Related Link:

"Save Our Sands" petition.