New beach barrier is mean-spirited
AS a resident of Widdrington, Northumberland, I must say how disappointed and annoyed I was when I returned from holiday to discover that my access to the beach at Cresswell had been denied because of new height barriers in two car parks, making it virtually impossible to park in the area if you have a tall vehicle because there is already a barrier at The Drift.
Several times a week my partner and I visit the beach in our VW campervan to walk our two small dogs and enjoy the beautiful scenery, picking up any litter as part of our walk, and generally helping to keep the area tidy. We were shocked to find we could no longer park anywhere in the Cresswell area and now have to try to find alternative places to go
However, this not only affects us in the VW but it must also deter other regular users of the car parks, including a local nursery group where the youngsters are regularly brought to Cresswell in a minibus, and also the surfers and canoeists who come in vans.
It also discriminates against disabled people who need taller vans to accommodate wheelchairs and those who need vehicles with toilet facilities. How mean!
I am aware that visitors in motorhomes often use the beach car parks to stay overnight as part of a tour of our beautiful county. They have been doing this for years. What’s wrong with that?
I thought we wanted. to encourage tourists with their spending power, but instead we send them packing, and in the process discriminate against everyone else with a taller vehicle, be they nursery or school groups, surfers or disabled people, who should have the same rights to enjoy the beach as anybody else.
It’s time to stop this meanminded, discriminatory thinking.
ROSEMARY THOMPSON,
Widdrington