With summer approaching, BCP Green Party Councillor Sara Armstrong is calling for urgent improvements to beach safety, accessibility, and environmental management.
Following discussions with residents and a recent litter pick, Sara has written to council leaders highlighting her concerns about disposable BBQs, inadequate facilities, and general neglect of public spaces.
“During the litter pick we found discarded BBQs with embers still glowing – this is a serious fire hazard, and action is needed,” she stated.
Accessibility remains a major issue, with East Cliff lacking suitable toilet facilities and proper beach access for disabled visitors. “I’ve been lobbying for a Changing Places toilet for 18 months – adequate facilities are essential as summer events ramp up, but we’ve not seen any progression which is getting frustrating.”
The long-disused East Cliff lift also remains in limbo, alongside deteriorating pathways, inadequate lighting, abscence of signage, lack of bins, poor condition of shelters, overgrown hedges, and parking concerns.
With a surge of tourists expected, Councillor Armstrong is urging swift action to manage litter, prevent anti-social behavior, and ensure public spaces are safe.
“Residents deserve to enjoy their coastline without unnecessary risks” she affirmed, calling for an urgent meeting with local officers to finalise a plan for maintaining a clean, accessible, and safe seafront.