Frustrated locals in Newhaven, East Sussex, stormed a French-owned beach that had been closed to the public since 2008, taking advantage of a 30C heatwave to reclaim access. The beachfront, known as West Beach, was locked behind gates that were sawed off by an unidentified person, allowing crowds to pour onto the sand.
Background of the Beach Closure
West Beach has been off-limits since 2008 when French company Newhaven Port and Properties took ownership and locked the gates. The beach, one of the few sandy stretches in the area, was once a popular summer destination for families, featuring cafes and other amenities. Despite repeated requests from locals and politicians, the owners have resisted reopening it.
Local resident Jamie Turner expressed the community's sentiment: "We got used to the stones, but it would be nice for kids and families to have the sand back. The beach used to be a big part of summer. It's to do with the French and politics. It's really sad, there used to be cafes and everything down there. Especially on a summer's day like this when it's 30 degrees." He added, "Breaking the law is never on, but it would be nice if it could be open legally and properly."
Local Reaction and Calls for Reopening
Pensioner Jean Bacon described the scene: "Somebody sawed the lock off and everybody went down there. We need our beach, we need it open. It's disgusting. We used to go down there when I was a kid. That beach used to be packed with children. They don't realise what a beautiful thing they've got there." She admitted to offering a reward: "I posted a message saying I would give somebody £20 if they would saw the lock off. Now, I'm stuck at home sweating. These French b******s. All the MPs have probably got swimming pools in their gardens, so they don't care. I would saw the lock off myself if I had something to do it with."
Local Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary has been campaigning to reopen the beach through his West Beach Bill. He stated: "West Beach is not just a strip of sand, it is part of Newhaven's history, its identity and its community life. For 17 years, local families – including my own – have been denied access to a beach where generations once swam, played and made memories. That cannot be right." He emphasised: "My West Beach Bill is about fairness. It is about standing up for a community that has been shut out of its own seafront for far too long. Of course safety and harbour operations matter. But they cannot be used forever as a blanket excuse to keep people away from a much-loved public amenity. This is the first parliamentary bill that attempts to put the right of access to West Beach into law. It sends a clear message: Newhaven deserves its beach back. The Government must now adopt this Bill and make it Law."
Impact and Next Steps
The beach's closure has been a long-standing grievance in Newhaven, with locals feeling deprived of a natural resource. The recent storming highlights the growing frustration as temperatures soared. Newhaven Port and Properties has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded. The West Beach Bill, if passed, would legally mandate public access, potentially ending nearly two decades of exclusion.
