Letter: Our disappearing village beach
LAST Friday we went down to our favourite beach on the west part of Milford, just left of the bowling club where the new beach huts are.
We’ve been down to this part of the beach for many years, and yes, each year it looks different.
However this year, there’s no access to most of the beach, unless you are agile enough to climb over the railings then down a wall.
You always use to be able to walk down the steps, then go over the groynes to the part of the beach you wanted to get to.
Now the steps are blocked off, but if you were able anyway to go down the steps, that part of the beach seems to have had all its shingle washed away, making it impossible to climb over the groyne to the next part of the beach.
Last year the shingle was level all the way along, so you could go down the steps and walk along.
So it seems Milford has lost a large section of its beach, which is a great shame.
Tim Cooper
Totton
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EROSION has resulted in the temporary closure of steps at Milford beach.
The steps at the western end of the beach, next to the Hurst Road toilets, have been cordoned off by New Forest District Council on safety grounds.”
Yet another access problem onto Milford Beach. Why? Most due not to “erosion”, but poor planning!
The tall groynes along the beach, from the playground area to the bowling green, seem to prevent access other than by swimming around them. Access from the beach hut promenade is impossible because the 20ft drop in front of some, which in the not too distant past had wooden steps for access. Visitors now have to squeeze into the few plots available.
The beach in the east, from the carpark to the Lighthouse, is still impossible to access due to storm boards at one end and a ramp the other – unless you’re a nimble athlete.
Are authorities actively trying to deter visitors and locals from this attractive part of Milford?
A Turner
Milford