I met yesterday with representatives from the Durham Heritage Coast Partnership and the Limestone Landscape Partnership at the parking and picnic area at Blackhall Rocks beach banks.
Both organisations have plans to improve the car park and pathway access to the beach and nearby landscape. These plans are at an early stage of development so I have asked that a wide reaching public engagement exercise be carried out to find out the opinions of local people and visitors. After all this is a public facility which is very well used all year round and the views of users are essential before any works are considered.
I am aware, for instance, that one of the proposals for consultation is the imposition of a Traffic Prohibition Order at the bottom of Deadman's Bank (between the picnic area and the vehicle turning point at the beach banks). Although this was never meant to be a parking area it has been used as such by people walking along the beach and the surrounding area and I feel they should be asked for their feelings on the scheme.
I have asked that any public engagement should be open and meaningful, with the public given every opportunity to have their say. So watch out in the near future for the formal consultation launch.
In the meantime if you have any opinion, one way or the other, please let me know and I will ensure that your voice is heard.
