Barrier at South Gare causes complaints from fishermen
PD Ports, Teesside’s port authority, took the step at South Gare, Redcar, in response to what it described as a rise in anti-social behaviour and overnight stays on the peninsula.
This area, although historically accessible to the public, is in fact private land.
Last year the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) revealed local concern about an increase in motorhomes, which often clog up the narrow stretch along South Gare Road in the summer months, with some visitors allegedly staying for days on end, littering and indulging in late night partying.
PD Ports previously said the popular beauty spot, which attracts visitors due to its breakwater, fishing and remote sandy dunes, was not a certified camping site and later revealed various measures due to be put in place.
The new height restricted barrier was installed at the end of last month and the company said arrangements had been shared with people who have a legitimate right of access so they can ask for it to be raised and lowered, although notice has to be given.
George Wilson, a member of the public who keeps supplies for his work in a fisherman’s hut he rents in the area, complained to the LDRS that as he drove a high-sided van it had been made “awkward” for him to get in and out.
He said: “I can’t drive to my cabin as [my] van won’t fit through and PD Ports is refusing to open [it] when required.”
Mr Wilson said he could not afford to replace his van with a car, adding: “There’s been [straight forward] access for over 90 years.
“None of the fishermen’s huts owners received any information about the barrier and when I spoke to PD Ports [they] have told me that I have to give them 48 hours notice to gain access to my cabin.”
He said he typically used the cabin every night, but had been unable to do so now for more than two weeks.
A PD Ports spokeswoman said: “The height barrier at South Gare and associated works has been installed on PD Ports’ private land in response to an increase in anti-social behaviour and overnight stays in the area, which were impacting the safe and effective operation of the gare.
“All direct tenants and licensees of properties on PD Ports’ land, and those associations representing owners and tenants of property outside of our boundaries, but with access rights via PD Ports’ land, were notified ahead of the barrier’s dimensions ahead of its installation.
“Information about the arrangements for those with a legitimate right of access to request the barrier be opened was also shared with everyone impacted.
“While we recognise the new arrangements may take some time to get used to for those affected, we believe they balance the need for access with the availability of our security team to open the barrier on demand.
“Separate arrangements are in place for emergency services.”
The spokeswoman said she could not comment directly on Mr Wilson’s claims, but requests to lift the barrier had to come with adequate notice.
Last year PD Ports said it was monitoring the situation at the gare, stating: “South Gare was built as an operational breakwater by the Port Authority in the 19th century in order to protect navigation and businesses along the River Tees.
“It is owned and maintained by PD Ports and we have a number of tenants and licensees in the area, including the recent announcement of a seal rescue centre.
“Access to South Gare is along South Gare Road through the former steelworks site, a right of access which we have recently successfully defended in the High Court.
“The gare is not a certified camping site and does not have the appropriate facilities for such purposes.”
The Teesport operator later said posts shared on social media suggested, incorrectly, the South Gare was a free or “wild” camping site.
It said a large number of vehicles had blocked emergency access, while compromising the firm’s own operational activities.
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CCTV cameras have also been installed and additional barriers erected along the edge of the road to restrict parked vehicles.
Speaking in November PD Ports chief executive officer Frans Calje acknowledged the South Gare was a “local landmark and place of outstanding natural beauty”, but it had also become a “free for all” for campers and the current situation which had led to anti-social behaviour and inconsiderate parking was not sustainable.
He said the company had “no choice” over the new measures, adding: “If there was an emergency on the gare itself, or out on the water or the beach, the current situation would make it very difficult for emergency vehicles to access the area.”