Ramp considered to allow disabled access to Bognor beach

Three possible ways of making the beach at Bognor Regis accessible to people with mobility issues are to be explored by Arun District Council.

One option would see specially designed buggies used on matting to allow people to get closer to the sea, while another would involve a shuttle service using some type of tracked machine to take passengers across the shingle.

While these two options would be seasonal only, the third – a timber ramp – would be permanent.

The possibilities were discussed at a meeting of the cabinet on Monday (November 16) with other ideas – such as removing the shingle from a couple of the groyne bays – being dropped.

The idea of a ramp to the beach has been floating around for several years, being abandoned at one point when coastal engineers found it would quickly become blocked with shingle.

The meeting was told that such a structure would cost around £550,000 and would need to be built in a 100m long zig-zag, projecting out from the promenade by 60m.

Giving members an idea of that size, Roger Spencer, the council’s engineering services manager, said it would stand one metre higher than a double decker bus and would be five buses long and 3.5 buses wide. 

The feasibility of all three options – including a lifetime maintenance plan and costings as well as any funding streams – will be looked into further before any decisions are made, with safety being one of the issues to address.

Mr Spencer said: “It’s commendable that we are looking to provide such a facility but we also have to be mindful of the physical risks.

“Those of getting to the sand and, more importantly, getting back up again; the risks of becoming stuck in the sand; and the risks of being stranded on an incoming tide.”

Hugh Coster (Ind, Aldwick East) was not keen on the idea of a ramp, suggesting it would need to be supervised to make sure those who used it were safe.

But Amanda Worne, chairman of the council, was enthusiastic about the idea.

Mrs Worne, who has been a wheelchair user since 2015, said: “The idea at last of having a beach that’s accessible is just absolutely unbelievable. It’s amazing.”

Supporting the idea of a ramp, she added: “If we’re going to spend the money, let’s spend it once and get it right.”

As for the dangers, she pointed out that they applied to the able bodied as much as the disabled, adding: “We all know that the sea is a dangerous creature – we all have to respect her.”

After the meeting, Matt Stanley, cabinet member for technical services, said: “This is a conundrum many other coastal councils have been looking to solve, so we hope to be able to lead the way in developing an effective method of allowing everybody to access and enjoy this fantastic beach.”