MORE hard-hitting measures are planned to try and prevent motorists from becoming trapped by the tide on Holy Island causeway.
Northumberland County Council is to erect a display of photographs at the causeway showing vehicles having to be rescued.
It is expected that the safe crossing times would be mounted on the display.
Two of the services which are frequently called o
ut to rescue stricken vehicles – Seahouses RNLI and RAF Boulmer – have provided pictures for the display.
The move comes a year after the county council put up new signs, costing around £740, showing a partly-submerged car to try and deter people from ignoring the warnings.
The sign, which was suggested at a packed meeting on the island, followed a dramatic rescue when a family of four had to be airlifted from the roof of their car.
A county council spokeswoman said: "We continue to develop new ways in which to drive home to Holy Island visitors the very serious safety message.
"At our request RAF Boulmer and Seahouses RNLI have provided photographs of some of their rescues from the causeway.
"We will be incorporating these into a photo montage to create a harder-hitting visual impact with new displays at the tide tables, as part of a wider package of measures that we are exploring."
Rescue services are called out many times every year to assist visitors who get into difficulties after disregarding the tide tables.
The safe-crossing times are displayed at the causeway, at outlets on the island, at tourist information centres, on the county council's website and in the Northumberland Gazette.
This year, the Gazette has also highlighted people posting videos of vehicles crossing the flooded causeway on the file-sharing website YouTube.
Ian Clayton, lifeboat operations manager for Seahouses RNLI, said: "The RNLI obviously supports any initiative that promotes water safety.
"A great deal has been said about the numerous incidents on Holy Island causeway, but many are still down to ignorance and stupidity. Some think they are crossing nothing more than a ford in a stream, rather than driving into the North Sea. Salt water and car engines are not compatible.
"I would really like to think that the new initiative by the county council may help reduce these incidents, but the experience of recent years tends to make me a little sceptical. However, only time will tell."
Flt Lt Charlie Logan, a pilot with A Flight 202 Squadron at RAF Boulmer, said: "Anything we can do to help raise awareness of misjudging the tide times is a good thing.
"People need to see at first hand how dangerous it can be."
The county council plans to reveal more about the proposals for the causeway this summer.
