New taskforce deployed on Holy Island to drive home road safety message amid crossing concerns
Last updated 3rd Aug 2023
It's feared it's only a matter of time before lives are lost on the Holy Island causeway - if people continue to ignore the safe crossing times.
Northumberland County Council's teaming up with the RNLI and coastguard for a new campaign to remind visitors not to risk it, after another couple became trapped by the rising tide earlier this week.
It's not the first strandings at the beauty spot this year, and has prompted renewed calls for barriers to be installed - something many locals object to.
New signage is instead being erected on both sides of the causeway, while a new taskforce - made up of water safety volunteers - will man the island's car park over the holidays to warn of the dangers.
A spokesman for the local authority said: "Despite ongoing calls for Holy Island visitors to adhere to safe causeway crossing times, incidents of cars getting trapped on the causeway continue to occur, posing a serious threat to life.
"Visitors who don’t adhere to the safety warnings not only put their own lives in danger, but also those of the emergency services as well as islanders who are unable to leave or access Holy Island until their stranded cars are removed.
"As a part of Northumberland County Council’s ‘Love it Like its Yours’ visitor management campaign, the council has joined forces with HM Coastguard and the RNLI to urge people not to cross the causeway outside of safe tide times."
Holy Island is located in the North Sea, a mile from the mainland and cut off twice a day by fast, incoming tides.
Nick Ayers, Regional Water Safety Lead at the RNLI, said: “It is disappointing to see that incidents on Holy Island continue to occur, despite our best efforts to raise awareness of the dangers.
“Our message to motorists visiting the island is ‘don’t chance it’ as you can’t outrun the North Sea. Please, check and comply with the safe crossing times, posted at each end of the causeway.
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“We’ve also set-up a Holy Island task force, made-up of RNLI water safety volunteers from Berwick-upon-Tweed and Seahouses. Visitors will spot the team throughout the six week holidays, relaying useful information including the crossing times at the island’s car park.
“When in doubt, please speak to Holy Island locals in shops and cafes or check the crossing times online. If the water has reached the causeway, do not attempt to cross it as it gets very deep around the centre of the crossing.”
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