Issue - meetings

Beach Access, Bognor Regis - Roger Spencer - 11.00 am

Meeting: 16/11/2020 - Cabinet (Item 284)

284 Beach Access, Bognor Regis pdf icon PDF 764 KB

The report considers the options available to achieve access to the beach for those with limited mobility.

 

Decision:

The Cabinet

           

            RESOLVED – That

 

(1)  The report be noted;

 

(2)  Agreement be given to not pursue Options 1, 2, 3, 6 or 8; and

 

(3)  Endorsement be given to further investigate and potential viability of Options 4, 5 and 7 as a means of improving access to the lower beach at Bognor Regis with findings and further recommendations being reported back to the relevant Committee.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Technical Services, Councillor Stanley, introduced this item confirming that this administration had, for a long time, held ambition to improve access to the beach in Bognor Regis for people with mobility issues. It was explained that such a scheme could have significant benefits for the experience of disabled residents and visitors to the area and so Councillor Stanley was pleased that the Council was now able to report on the first phase of investigatory work into the options available to take this ambition forward.

 

The Group Head of Technical Services followed by the Engineering Services Manager provided further information. It was explained that the report identified a range of options to fulfil this aim and these were briefly outlined in terms of the different approaches considered and what the Council could and could not pursue.

 

Prior to inviting debate, the Chairman confirmed that he had been provided with a statement from Councillor Brooks, who had had to leave the meeting and so this was read out.  This outlined that Option 7 [the Timber Piled Ramp] would be very expensive and only addressed part of the problem. The beach west of the pier in front of the old Esplanade site and Rock Gardens flats was where the shingle was regularly washed away due to the shape of the shoreline. This area already had half-buried under the shingle a lower promenade, steps and a ramp suitable for pushchairs and pneumatic tyred wheelchairs. Pneumatic wheelchairs could be provided to gauge response, this could be part of a café concession. Further consideration on using tested techniques, the area might be developed to form a protected sandy bay, permitting access for all disabilities using a lift direct to the sand.  As the Council owned the adjacent land and car park, there was also the opportunity to add disabled toilets, cafe, and family entertainment with concessions to help with costs.  The addition of showers and changing rooms alone would also attract wind surfers, scuba divers and other water sports enthusiasts.  Support was therefore given to Recommendation 3) but with the addition of Option 1.

 

In debating the report, many comments, ideas and concerns were expressed which have been summarised below:

 

·                     There was a lot to consider and many risks, but the Council was duty bound to consider these

·                     Getting down to the beach was more straight forward than getting back up

·                     Support was given to exploring further Options 4, 5 and 7

·                     It would be vital to ensure that appropriate consultation would be undertaken but with the right groups of people, those that would need to use it

·                     There was concern over the cost and size of the ramp proposal

·                     What groups had been identified for the consultation

·                     There was concern that the Council might also have to provide a service in operating any scheme, not just the means of accessing the beach

·                     How would the size of the proposed ramp fit in with the local area?

·                     Some of the suggestion put  ...  view the full minutes text for item 284