Re-open Newhaven West Beach - Lewes Liberal Democrats

Re-open our sandy beach in Newhaven!

Newhaven has been trying to regain public access to its sandy West Beach, since it was closed by Newhaven Port & Properties (NPP) in 2008.

During the initial closure previous Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker fought to reopen the beach, saying in 2015 at the end of the supreme court fight for access:

"This is a bitter disappointment, Newhaven people will be rightly furious until their beach is open to them again".

Progress since then stalled until James MacCleary was elected MP in 2024. He promised to bring it back on the agenda saying:

"For me politically, and as a resident, I desperately want to get it re-opened to the public. This valuable local asset must be given back to the people, who should be able to freely enjoy it".

Since then James has met with the Mayor of Dieppe to discuss the issue, worked to build support for reopening the beach and even presented a Public Access Bill to Parliament.

For the past two years, James and the Newhaven Liberal Democrats have been urging NPP to reach an agreement with the council, but so far it has refused to properly engage.

Please sign this petition and help give James the backing he needs to continue this fight.

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