ePetition - Beach and seafront access petition
navigation and tools
Find it
You are here - Home : Council and Democracy : Councillors and Committees : Petition
ePetition details
Beach and seafront access petition
Many local residents cannot equally access the seafront, the beach and the sea as current beach access is not adequate for people with a wide range of needs and impairments.
We have sent people to the moon, but cannot enable all people to get down into our sea.
Improved access will also support the reputation of Brighton & Hove as a forward-thinking and inclusive tourist destination.
This ePetition ran from 09/08/2018 to 12/12/2018 and has now finished.
1787 people signed this ePetition.
Council response
Response provided by the Chair of the Tourism, Development & Culture Committee at their meeting on 17 January 2019:
"Thank you for your petition and we fully appreciate that
accessing the beach is a significant challenge for those with
mobility difficulties. The Seafront Team have welcomed the
opportunity to meet with yourself (Claire Nelson) and other members
of the Scope project team together with representatives from
Positive People to discuss this important issue. The meetings have
been very helpful to identify the key challenges faced by disabled
people and those with access needs, so that we can work together to
improve the experience of visiting the seafront.
The council has introduced a range of improvements such as
all-terrain wheelchairs and worked with partners on accessible
design into new developments. The latter includes an external lift
between the upper and lower promenade as part of the i360
development, and the restored seafront arches are on one level to
improve accessibility. Each of the new seafront arches to the east
of the i360 also includes an accessible toilet. Trials of beach
matting and wooden walkways have not proved successful in the past,
where a combination of the challenges of the shingle beach and
weather conditions have rendered these measures unusable. However,
we would like to work with you to identify new initiatives and
explore the feasibility of their introduction on the seafront.
Through advances in modern technology and the experiences of other
beach resorts there could be new initiatives that would make a
significant difference to individuals.
A further meeting is planned in the near future confirmed with your
group on Friday 1st February to consider the area on the beach to
the west of the Hove Seafront, which has been identified by all
involved as a potential site for an accessible platform. Whilst
securing funding for a project of this kind can be challenging, by
working together we may be able to come up with an innovative
solution for which bids for funding could be made. I look forward
to being part of this meeting together with my colleague Councillor
Platts and for a report to be brought back to the committee on this
issue in the future.
We therefore look forward to working further with your group. The
seafront is enjoyed by a huge number of residents and visitors and
we would like to ensure that despite the challenging environment
that enjoyment can be shared by as many people as possible".