Residents in Hayle, Cornwall, are outraged as diggers remove sand from their beloved beach, sparking fears about environmental impacts and future beach safety.
Hayle: Concerns are rising in Hayle, Cornwall, about sand being taken from the beach. Residents and visitors are upset as diggers and lorries remove sand from the estuary. This issue was also raised last summer, and people are sharing their worries on social media with photos and videos of the activity.
A Facebook group called “Help Stop Hayle Sand Being Taken Away!” is active with locals and holidaymakers posting images of the sand removal. Some fear this could lead to similar actions at other beaches. One local, Donna Bolton, expressed her shock at the extent of the digging and questioned the safety of other beaches in the future.
Another resident, Adrian Crocker, called the situation “absolutely appalling,” fearing the beach will never be the same. An anonymous poster shared their shock at the images of Hayle beach and praised those raising awareness.
Chris Dormer emphasized that the sand being taken is where families sit and children play. SOS Cornwall voiced similar concerns, stating that if the work continues, locals will protest until they receive satisfactory answers and the sand removal stops.
Hayle resident Sophie Daniels started a petition last August. She explained that the beach is suffering as tons of sand are removed for profit, harming the environment. She noted that excavation is happening far from the designated channels, disrupting peace and posing safety risks for children.
Daniels also highlighted the threat to local wildlife and the ecosystem. She urged an immediate halt to sand mining, stressing the importance of protecting Hayle Beach, which was voted the Best Beach in the UK by The Times.
Opponents of the sand removal have organized a protest outside Gilbert’s Beach Bar. Councillor Peter Channon, who represents Hayle West, insisted that no one is stealing sand from the beach. He explained that the situation is complicated due to private ownership of the harbour.
Channon clarified that dredging is necessary to maintain the harbour, which gets silted by storms and river flow. The cost of dredging is covered by selling the removed sand, which cannot be dumped back into the bay due to legal restrictions.
He noted that dredging has changed since the 1970s, now requiring diggers and lorries. Channon emphasized that the operation is legal and essential for the harbour’s function.
The Hayle Harbour Act of 1989 regulates dredging, ensuring safe navigation and maintenance of the harbour. Hayle Town Council is aware of residents’ concerns and is in talks with various stakeholders to address the issue.
A spokesperson for the new administrators of Hayle North Quay clarified that dredging is lawful and necessary for navigation. They assured that sand is only removed from specified zones, not the beach or dunes.
The spokesperson also mentioned that dredging will occur less frequently once the channel reaches the required depth. Proceeds from sand sales are reinvested into the harbour’s maintenance, but they do not cover all operating costs.
The Hayle Harbour Authority has issued a leaflet explaining the need for dredging and the uses of the sand, which include soil conditioning and children’s play areas. They stressed that without regular dredging, navigation would become difficult and dangerous.
