Call to protect beach dunes from human damage

3 hours ago

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria

News image — Councillor Carl Quartermain said Coatham dunes protected sites further inland

Supplied Carl Quartermain is standing on a sandy beach and looking directly at the camera. He is bald, has a grey beard and is wearing a yellow high-vis jacket over a black fleece. On the land, there are dozens of cars in the car park and rows of houses further along the shore. — Councillor Carl Quartermain said Coatham dunes protected sites further inland

A councillor says a "joined up" approach is needed to protect beach dunes from further erosion and anti-social behaviour.

Redcar and Cleveland Labour councillor Carl Quartermain invited police, Natural England and landowners to join a steering group to work to defend Coatham dunes on the North East coast.

He said the dunes had been blighted by littering, fires and heavy use by walkers for years, adding it was one of the area's "most important natural assets" and played a critical role in protecting sites inland, from erosion and flooding.

Natural England said it would attend and was committed to working to restore them.

"Alongside natural erosion and heavy use by walkers, there is sadly rubbish left behind such as from BBQs, smashed bottles, and fires set to the marram grasses," Quartermain said.

"In part the dunes are barren, flat, eroded and an eyesore," he said.

He said a collective approach was needed and then "we can agree a coordinated way forward, rather than working in isolation".

Carl Quartermain The sand dunes are dotted with green shrubs, some of them flowering with yellow buds. A short wooden fence separates the dunes from the static caravans on the shore. The ocean is on the right, in the background. — Quartermain suggested allocated walkways on the dunes to protect them

Quartermain said previous flooding on a nearby golf course when a storm surge washed away large parts of the dune had brought into "sharp focus the need for proper coordinated management".

He said he would chair the steering group meeting on 6 July and move towards "real improvement".

One solution he suggested was creating designated walkways, to protect its habitats.

A Natural England spokesperson said: "These sand dunes play a huge role in coastal protection, as well as supporting many plants and species.

"We will be attending the council meeting as a first step towards their restoration."

The government's adviser added it was also developing a protected site strategy for the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast, to balance its industrial heritage with nature's recovery.