Keep cars off beach rescue ramp plea

Despite double yellow lines banning parking, cars are still using the Cullercoats RNLI ramp

Beach visitors have been told to stop parking on an RNLI accessibility ramp because they are hindering rescue efforts.

The organisation said that drivers were ignoring double yellow lines near the Cullercoats ramp in North Tyneside, delaying volunteer rescuers reaching lifeboats.

RNLI volunteer Alex Bateman said he had had to abandon a recent rescue mission because he could not get parked nearby.

"If I was the only tractor driver available that would have really slowed down the launch of the vehicle and lifeboat into the sea," he said.

Sarah Whitelaw, who volunteers at Cullercoats RNLI, said: "When someone is in the water and needs assistance, every second counts."

She said that she appreciated that parking around Cullercoats was difficult, but keeping the accessibility ramp car-free at all times was essential.

"Quite often we launch within five to six minutes, so we need our crews to get down as soon as possible," Miss Whitelaw said.

"We're seeing all sorts of shouts from people swimming and getting into difficulty, to people on kayaks or paddleboards getting into distress."