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BEACH OPEN TO WALKERS Extract from Herald Express Monday 12 March, by Steve Peacock The shattered Slapton line road has been turned into a beach-side promenade by visitors barred from huge sections of the South Hams coastline by the foot and mouth crisis
The beach at Slapton Sands is still open to the public even though the nature reserve on the other side of the coastal road has been closed to visitors. And the closed section of road which was smashed by storms in January has become a favourite walkway for people strolling along the beach-side area. Public footpaths in the countryside including the coastal path and National Trust owned land along huge sections of the coast in the South Hams have all been closed to the public since the foot and mouth outbreak. South Hams Council is mailing more than 1,000 businesses with information on what visitors can still do during their stay in the area. That includes town trails through the main towns in the district as well as river trips on the Dart, golf courses, castle and abbey visits and trips to other popular tourist centres like the Goss centre at Totnes. The council's marketing and tourism officer Su Beswick revealed: "Walking in the nature reserve at Slapton is prohibited but visitors and locals who want to get some fresh air and enjoy the sea view are already using the closed road on Slapton Line as a promenade." "If you fancy walking you can still visit the beaches at Slapton, Blackpool sands, Bigbury-on-Sea and South sands." "The message is that visitors are very welcome and that there is plenty to enjoy in the area even with the current restriction on walking" Meanwhile, police and council officials have announced a crackdown on people who are ignoring legal closure notices. People who are caught hiking on the forbidden paths will face prosecution and fines of up to £5,000. |
