For a printable version of the petition click here
Local councillor Carla Butler, who is campaigning to keep the beach open, says: “The West Beach is very popular with local people and is used by thousands of people. The decision to close the beach yet again is a real blow for Newhaven. It has been clear for a long time that NPP want to close the beach. They have not been prepared to adequately address the health and safety issues and have chosen to prevent public access instead. When it was re-opened last year they said they would provide a warden but this was not realised. We recognise there are safety concerns, but with a bit of goodwill these could be addressed.”
Newhaven MP Norman Baker says: “This is a backward step. NPP may own the beach, but the people of Newhaven see it as theirs. Of course we are in this position because the Conservative privatisation programme of the 1980s took this area out of public control. I will be strongly campaigning against the decision to close the beach.”
