Sedgemoor District Council has defended its decision to close the entrance to Berrow beach on New Year’s Day despite dozens of cars flocking to the site.

Motorists lined the road up to the gates on Tuesday, as pictured here, but were unable to drive onto the beach on one of the busiest days of the year.

“Tempers frayed in the morning when several vehicles got blocked in – and I think it would have been difficult for some larger emergency services, such as fire engines, to get onto the beach if needed,” one driver told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

But council spokeswoman Sam Taylor told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The only days throughout the year when the gates are closed are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.”

“This is due to staff resourcing issues – access for pedestrians is not restricted elsewhere. There are restrictions for vehicles to Berrow Beach on those days.”

Meanwhile, the beach at nearby Brean was open on New Year’s Day to cars, which is controlled by Brean Parish Council. There, the beach warden estimated 500 vehicles had flocked to the beach, as reported here.

Pictured: The busy scenes on the entry road to the beach on Tuesday

 
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