The long-lasting UK seaside has been closed off to the general public since 2008, however that may quickly be altering.
The seaside was closed off in 2008 citing well being and security dangers (Picture: Getty)
After being closed to the general public for practically 20 years, an iconic UK seaside could quickly be set to reopen. The East Sussex seaside was as soon as a preferred spot brimming with swimmers and sunbathers, nonetheless it closed off entry to the general public in 2008 on grounds of well being and security dangers.
Newhaven West Seashore was common with beachgoers and locals, nonetheless, French proprietor Newhaven Port and Properties closed off the seaside nearly 18 years in the past because the seaside cliffs have been deemed “too harmful”, with crumbling partitions and excessive waves cited as the explanation for closure.
The long-lasting seaside was immensely common with locals and guests (Picture: Getty)
Final month, a brand new invoice was launched to parliament with the hopes it might end result within the reopening of the seaside if handed.
On April 28, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes James MacCleary offered the Newhaven West Seashore (Public Entry) Invoice to parliament in an effort to safe authorized public entry to the “lovely sandy seaside”.
MacCleary mentioned: “West Seashore belongs within the lifetime of Newhaven. For 17 years, households have been locked out of our city’s solely sandy seaside. Mother and father who performed there as youngsters have by no means been capable of take their very own youngsters there – mine included. That could be a actual loss.”
MacCleary mentioned he was “now seeing real momentum” as he urged the federal government to “undertake my Invoice and make it regulation”.
“For too lengthy the folks of Newhaven have been let down. Reopening West Seashore would restore a treasured neighborhood area, revive native delight and permit a brand new technology to make recollections there.
“Newhaven has waited lengthy sufficient. It’s time to give the city its seaside again.”
Crumbling partitions and excessive waves cited as the explanation for closure. (Picture: Getty)
Earlier proposals to reopen the beloved East Sussex seaside have been rejected by Newhaven Port and Properties on well being and security grounds.
If handed and formally adopted by the federal government, the invoice would power the seaside to be reopened to vacationers and locals.
It will mandate the harbour authority to offer and subsequently preserve public entry to the seaside within the type of secure public strolling routes on the sand, and would solely permit for restrictions to be put in place the place strictly essential — for harbour operations or security.
MacCleary added: “In fact security and harbour operations matter. However they can’t be used endlessly as a blanket excuse to maintain folks away from a much-loved public amenity. [The bill] sends a transparent message: Newhaven deserves its seaside again. The Authorities should now undertake this invoice and make it regulation.”
In September 2025, MacCleary informed The Argus: “West Seashore is a part of who we’re in Newhaven. It was the place youngsters discovered to swim, households gathered, and recollections have been made. Since 2008 it has been shut and a complete technology has grown up with out entry to their very own sandy seaside.
Final month, a brand new invoice was launched to parliament with hopes to reopen the seaside (Picture: Getty)
“I cannot cease till West Seashore is reopened for the neighborhood.” The push to reopen Newhaven West Seashore comes amid efforts to revive the city as an entire and rework it again right into a premiere seaside vacation spot for locals and vacationers.
Newhaven Fort reopened to the general public final yr after a staggering £7.5million renovation which included the addition of an journey playground and new escape room to the Nineteenth-century Palmerston fort and museum.
Huge plans to open a splash park, youngsters’s play space, out of doors health club and restaurant alongside the East Essex city’s seafront are additionally mentioned to be within the works.
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