"Balanced approach" needed in dealing with risk of rockfalls on beaches

Sunday 10 September 2023

Falling rocks remain a risk on north coast beaches, the Government has admitted, with a review showing that it is necessary to maintain a “balanced approach” between warning beachgoers and not spoiling the natural environment.

Rockfalls have been reported twice this summer by mothers who had spent time with families at Plémont beach, with one woman being hit and suffering a bruised leg.

Holly Osmand was hit by a rock at Plémont in May while she was at the beach with her four-year-old son, while Emilie Haine said that a rock “the size of a small football” had landed close to where she and her sister had been playing with their families this summer.

Emilie said the incident had occurred near the caves at the west end of the beach, and said she believed it was possible that some of the heavy rain during the summer may have loosed the earth on the surrounding cliffs.

Both women said that they feared the consequence of someone being hit by a rock could be lethal.

Pictured: Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet said that "the [warning] signage is very clear".

Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet confirmed that the matter had been looked into.

He said: “Since the reported rockfall earlier this summer, the team have reviewed the signage and the risk of further rockfall.

“There are several warning signs alerting beach users to the danger of falling rocks – the signage is very clear.

“Fencing is not an appropriate solution as the risk of rockfall extends along the cliffs and caves for most of the beach – the balanced approach is to give suitable warning at the access points so that beach users are alerted to the risk and the natural environment remains natural.”