Couple launch petition to reopen beach car park

The overflow car park was closed by the States

A Guernsey couple has launched a petition to reopen an overflow car park at one of the beaches on the island.

Bill and Margaret Masterton want to see more parking made available at Grandes Rocques, a sandy beach on the north-west coast of Guernsey.

The overflow car park was originally closed by the States for the restoration of coastal grassland habitats in the area.

Mr Masterton said people were getting "into fisticuffs" because of parking difficulties and vehicles were now getting blocked in the car park.

Boost biodiversity

Mrs Masterton explained: "The car parking down here, there's just not enough space, we get cars parked all along the side, they're blocking access for emergency vehicles.

"The overflow car park has been there for many years with no obvious problems at all.

"There is a narrow area of grass along there so if there is any wildlife wanting to cross they have the opportunity to do so."

In March, the Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services (ACLMS) said the the land used as the seasonal overflow car park would be regenerated to a coastal grassland habitat to boost the biodiversity of the area.

It said: "Whilst this will mean that the area won't be available for use as an overflow car park at peak times, in addition to the availability of other nearby car parks, this will be partially offset by the additional spaces at the former entrance to the overflow as well as bicycle infrastructure to encourage active travel."

'Nasty at times'

Mrs Masterton said she felt "more could be done" to improve the situation as people were having trouble without the additional space.

Mr Masterton added: "People are getting to near on fisticuffs, nearly trouble, because people park in the middle and people can't get out.

"It's really nasty at times."

The Mastertons, who are in their late 70s and 80s, added they were unable to use beaches closer to where they lived in St Martin because of accessibility issues including steep hills.