Wednesday, 28 March 2018

Crimdon beach cleaning and access update

Queries have been raised recently about planned improvements to beach access at Crimdon and also about responsibility for cleaning the beach.


The Durham Heritage Coast manager has provided the following advice. Updates on separate issues will be published in due course. 

1.       General waste. There is not statutory duty to clear “beach litter”. Post LGR (Local Government Reorganisation in 2009) the former District budget for beach cleaning was lost in the general change. This is the reason for encouraging community involvement, on which the HC (Heritage Coast) leads. Clean and Green are very responsive after beach cleans in removing collected debris.
Activity:
At the same time as the little tern fence and wardens hut are installed (25th April) a beach sweep will be made and larger items removed. A volunteer beach clean is timed to coincide with this allowing us to use the tractors and trailers involved in the fencing.
Louise is also in direct talks with Greenpeace Hartlepool who are looking to be more active with regards to beach cleaning at Crimdon.
2.       Boardwalks and Chespale fencing - the middle, damaged,  boardwalk has been removed and a new section immediately next to the footpath has been installed. Chespale has been installed to assist in the recolonization of the dunes and to reduce the impact of people on the dunes. This work has been completed about three weeks ago.
The third and final phase will be installing a boardwalk from the bottom of the steps near the caravan site, with associated Chespale fencing. This work will be carried out next winter as the funding for this work is effectively secured. We do not at the moment envisage any further boardwalk or Chespale fencing, other than maintenance after this.