Lib Dems meet with French politician to get west beach reopened

8.22.02pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 22nd Jun 2006

Local Lib Dems including Newhaven councillor David Rogers and District Council Leader Ann De Vecchi, presented a petition to Didier Marie, President of the Departement de Seine-Maritime, who visited County Hall today, intended to increase pressure on the French-run Newhaven Port and Properties (NPP) to reopen West Beach.

The Lib Dems have run a determined campaign since the beach was barricaded by NPP to get it reopened for use by local residents and visitors to the town. The popular beach was close off in April after with NPP claiming that safety work needed to be carried out, however that was two months ago and nothing has been done to carry out this work as we head into the summer months.

Councillor Rogers said: "I sincerely hope that Mr Marie will take notice of the feelings of people in Newhaven who have been affected by this closure. There is real anger from people that I have spoken to who feel that this action has been undertaken with no consideration for local people who utilise the beach. We have collected over 1,000 signatures and will continue to gather more."

Newhaven MP, Norman Baker, added: "I have backed this campaign from the very beginning and hope that Mr Marie can apply some pressure on NPP to reopen West Beach for use by Newhaven residents and visitors to the town. Local Lib Dems and myself will continue to fight to get the beach reopened as soon as possible, if anyone wishes to add their name to our petition they can do so on the petition page here."

Related Link:

Save our Sands petition.