Berrow beach is set to fully re-open to vehicles for parking over the winter from the end of this month, it has been announced by Sedgemoor District Council.
The beach will be open to vehicles for parking every day from November 29th between 10am-3pm.
Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported here that the council had decided to shut the beach to vehicles from the end of September until next April on safety grounds due to the beach wardens ending their duties for the season.
But the closure prompted uproar from beach users and a petition launched by local resident Rita Morgan calling on the council to re-open the beach to local cars attracted over 1,500 signatures.
In October, the group Discover Brean – a consortium of holiday parks and hospitality businesses in Berrow and Brean – offered its help, as we reported here, and that offer was accepted by the council, allowing the beach to re-open to car parking over the half-term holiday. The beach is currently open for vehicle access on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays between 1000 hrs and 1500 hrs, taking into account tidal conditions.
Now, Sedgemoor District Council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Friday: “Following further discussions with businesses, residents and Sedgemoor councillors, Sedgemoor District Council has found a way which will allow vehicle access and parking on Berrow beach between the hours of 10am-3pm for seven days a week with a beach safety warden on hand for any safety issues and advice.  There will be no charge to park during the winter months.”
“Beachgoers are reminded that with winter approaching, the 3pm closing time will make the most of the daylight hours. The gates are closed to prevent vehicles from accessing the beach when there are no safety staff on duty, but the beach itself is not closed.”
“There is parking in the nearby Berrow Dunes Nature reserve car park, with pedestrian access.  There are disabled access points at nearby Burnham-on-Sea beach for those who are unable to use the pedestrian access to Berrow Beach.”
She adds that Sedgemoor District Council will be constructing a car parking area just off Coast Road at Berrow.
“This work will start on Monday, 15th November and will take two weeks. The vehicle and pedestrian access will be closed for those two weeks to allow heavy plant and machinery to work uninterrupted to create the 30 permanent parking spaces, which are not on the beach.”
“Once installed, these car parking spaces will be free until Easter 2022.  Therefore, the new 7-day arrangements will start on Monday, 29th November, once the work has been completed.”
