Warning over careless parking putting lives at risk on Northumberland beaches

Careless motorists are putting lives at risk on Northumberland’s beaches.
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That’s the stark warning from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as summer holiday crowds head for the coast.

The RNLI at Seahouses has expressed serious concern over the number of motor vehicles being parked indiscrimately in the Beadnell and other areas, blocking emergency service access to the beach after a number of recent incidents on the beaches requiring a response by the emergency services.

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The two main access points to Beadnell Bay are from the main car park, where vehicles have been parked across the access gate, and by Beach Court beside Beadnell Harbour, where visitors’ cars have parked on yellow lines, and double parked in places.

Concerns have been raised over access to Beadnell beach for emergency servicesConcerns have been raised over access to Beadnell beach for emergency services
Concerns have been raised over access to Beadnell beach for emergency services

The charity says it is essential that these access points are left clear, as both the RNLI and other emergency services require access around the clock.

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The problem appears to be aggravated by the numbers of ‘staycationers’ holidaying in the visiting the Seahouses, Beadnell and Bamburgh areas.

Seahouses Lifeboat Operations Manager Ian Clayton said: “Visitors are vital to the local economy, and are welcome to enjoy our coastline.

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"However we must urge visiting vehicle users to be considerate and responsible when parking.

"Please, please, do not obstruct access points onto the beach, and comply with yellow line restrictions.

"If emergency vehicles are prevented from reaching an incident quickly, there could be loss of life. All we ask is a little common sense, consideration and forethought, to keep everyone safe.”

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