Lib Dem outrage at West Beach double-standard

11.41.52am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 26th Jul 2006

Local Lib Dems are asking why a company filming a television commercial has been allowed access to restricted areas of Newhaven seafront. The Lib Dems have run a determined campaign to get access to West Beach, the breakwater and other seafront areas restored to the public as soon as possible. Newhaven Port and Properties (NPP), who own and run the area in question, have repeatedly argued that they do not have the money to reopen the prohibited zones.

Local Lib Dem Carla Butler says: "We have been fighting hard to get West Beach reopened, gathering well in excess of 2,000 signatures from local people. NPP told us that it was too expensive and dangerous to reopen it, but now we see that a full film set can be put up and two-tonne trucks can rumble up and down the supposedly unstable breakwater."

Newhaven County Councillor, David Rogers, adds: "It has become apparent that NPP are allowing a film crew to operate freely in the restricted area. It appears that NPP must have been paid for access to the areas that remain shut off to the public.

"We want to know how much NPP are being paid and why that money can't be reinvested in making our popular seafront freely accessible to all - not just those who can afford to pay!"