500 sign petition to oppose restrictions

500 sign petition to oppose restrictions

3 August 2016

RESIDENTS opposed to new proposals to severely restrict access to Minerstown beach have handed over a petition outlining their concern.

The petition — containing 500 signatures — was handed over to councillor Gareth Sharvin ahead of Monday night’s monthly meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

Bye-laws designed to help protect sea life are to be rigorously enforced and will result in a ban on vehicles from using two rights of way which locals and visitors have used to gain direct access to the picturesque beach for decades.

In addition to the ban on cars, motorcycles and people flying kites have been banned from the beach, with no boats or other water craft permitted between May 1 and October 31. No horses are allowed on the beach between April and November.

While residents recognise the need to protect sea life, they say access to the beach via the rights of way at the Lisoid Road have been in place for generations and should remain so. In addition, they argue bye-laws banning cars from using the rights of way will result in people parking along the main road near the beach which has the potential to cause traffic congestion along a busy tourist route.

Resident Rosie Keenan said enforcing the bye-laws “needs to be balanced” with protecting the rights of responsible beach users, as well as the protection of wildlife, in particular, the local seal population.

“The local authority must balance the rights of the public and the community to enjoy this beautiful beach and responsible, law-abiding beach users should not be deterred from accessing or using Minerstown beach,” she said.

“Current access points allow the public to reach the beach with prams, rather than forcing everyone to access it at one point, which is a set of steps provided by the local council. To restrict beach access would create a greater risk to public safety as it would create a traffic build up at one access point on an already busy coastal road.”

Mrs Keenan said local users of the beach have from knowledge and experience afforded the seal population respect and are alert to its needs, particularly during the breeding season.

Councillor Sharvin, who shares residents’ concerns, said there is no doubt the sea life in the area needs to be protected and measures implemented to ensure this is the case. He also agrees that rights of way which have been in place for generations should remain.

“Residents are concerned about the implications the bye-laws will have on their homes and an area popular with visitors. One person who has lived in the area for over 70 years said if the rights of way cannot be used, it will remove a legacy of access to the beach,” he continued.

Councillor Sharvin said council officials have been asked to ascertain that the two rights of way which have been used for years are recognised as legal access points to Minerstown beach and confirmed he plans to pass the residents’ petition to the relevant local authority department. He is also keen to see an agreement on access to the picturesque beach which all parties can agree and sign up to.

“I plan to hand over the petition calling or the status quo to remain in relation to access to Minerstown beach. The rights of way have been in place for over 100 years. Everyone is keen to see this issue satisfactorily resolved,” added councillor Sharvin.