Seaside town up in arms over sea raft removal

The rafts would usually be anchored at Greenhill

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for Weymouth Town Council to reinstate two swim rafts at Greenhill.

People have been sharing how they feel about the pontoons being removed from a tourist hot spot after decades of them being a beach staple.

The town council said it had been informed by the RNLI that the rafts were "outside of the lifeguard's primary response area"

"They create a blind spot for the lifeguards which operate on the beach and therefore pose a risk to members of the public," it added.

Many people have posted about the rafts on social media with one calling the decision "ridiculous".

Emma Stoodley continued: "I'm almost 50 and the rafts have always been there."

In a petition, Greenhill resident Jade O'Brien said the rafts are an integral part of the community.

"They encourage children to exercise, learn to swim, and develop water confidence," she said.

Ryan King questioned why they were being removed: "There have been rafts there and further along on Preston beach for decades, what's suddenly changed?"

Another local person, Chris Stewart, said: "Please reconsider. The pontoons are an integral part of our summer swims."

Christine James posted: "These rafts have brought joy, tradition, and confidence to generations of swimmers, families, and local groups like the Weymouth Bluetits."

Local resident Jade O'Brien said the rafts encouraged children to swim safely

One local person wrote a poem calling the rafts "a teen-fun space."

Jane McKell wrote: "To reach them we would splash-race. Breathless, clamber up to sit, skin saltwater sunlit; much banter; laughter; singing; unfettered youth; joy ringing-gossip; talk of revolution - there's something in the air; exams over, without care."

At a recent protest to save the rafts, a group of people marched along the esplanade to the RNLI hut where the lifeguards work at Greenhill.

South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton posted a video on his social media saying that "it is a mistake" but he will work with the RNLI and Weymouth Town Council to get them back.

The RNLI said: "Lifeguards have always taken a proactive approach to managing the safety of water users in and around the rafts, despite it being outside of their immediate responsibility.

"The RNLI has no position regarding the use of swimming rafts by landowners but shares information regarding lifeguard operations and limitations to support landowners in their risk assessment process."