PLANS are in place to install a “permanent” lockable gate at the entrance to Whipsiderry Beach to stop people from gaining access.

Cornwall Council propose to erect the gate following people squeezing through the temporary herras fencing that has been installed since the major rockfalls there.

But Cornwall councillor John Fitter, who has been consulted on the plan, is against the idea as he believes the herras fencing is proving to be a good deterrent stopping people from gaining access.

He does not see there is a problem with surfers squeezing through the herras fencing as the steps leading down to the beach have been deemed as safe.

Cllr Fitter also argues emergency services have to have access if there is an incident and that there could be a legal challenge as there is no public consultation planned.

Jon Mitchell, an environment manager at Cornwall Council, in an email to Cllr Fitter, said: “I can reconfirm that Cormac have been instructed to formalise the design and installation of a gate and fence with accompanying signage at the top of the Cornwall Council steps.

“We acknowledge that the temporary herras fencing is visually not ideal and has been prone to people continuing to try to breakdown/ get around it to gain access resulting in regular inspections/ action.

“The intention is to install a permanent lockable gate with accompanying surrounding fencing and signage at the top of the steps to prevent unauthorised access.”

Cllr Fitter said in response: “My view as the local member is that this will present the authority with numerous problems and could even give rise to a legal challenge as to the legally of such action without due consultation with other interested parties who might have a contrary view on such a proposal, I am thinking of the RNLI, Coastguard, Police and most important of all the local community.

 “At this moment signage and fencing is there to discourage people from going onto the beach and approaching the foot of the cliff and the majority seem to respect this situation. Now I am fully aware that surfers are using the steps by sidestepping the fencing, they are not placing themselves in danger, you were able to advise me when we spoke that the steps are not the problem, just the cliff and any further cliff falls, all the surfers wish to do is to surf not sit at the bottom of cliffs so I believe we can all agree they are not a problem.

“The problem that must be addressed is what is to happen to people, some with young people who come to the cove by one of the two other routes and then find their return route is no longer available, have steps have been put in place to ensure their safety if they cannot exit at the top of the steps, because what might happen, if on finding that they cannot get out at the top they try and retreat by one of the other routes and indeed get cut off by the tide and the added danger that this will entail in any required rescue.

“My advice is we leave as it is, tidy up the cliff top area, design and produce a friendly notice advising the public the steps are closed due to the danger from further cliff rock falls and as an authority we apologise for any inconvenience that this might cause.

“I suspect the majority of families will respect the notice for what it is, a friendly word of advice to keep them safe, the surfers might well continue to nip around the fence but no harm will come to them, and at the same time anyone who might find themselves trapped in the cove will be able to escape by the steps and not find their exit blocked by an Iron gate.”