Thick layer of seaweed on Weymouth beach divides opinion
Some say 'it's made their children cry', others think 'it's part of the seaside'
Holidaymakers and tourists say they’ve been put off visiting Weymouth beach because the “thick matt of really smelly, rotting seaweed” covering the golden sand.
The vast amount of seaweed has been washed ashore due to "north easterly wind," but some beachgoers aren’t impressed and took to review site TripAdvisor calling it a "smelly, fly-infested carpet.”
Another review likened the seaweed to “cowpat” and although Weymouth Town Council appreciates the seaweed “might be unsightly,” they have made the “conscious decision" not to remove it to "preserve the ecosystem’s integrity.”
The seaweed debate has divided opinion among the people we spoke to on Weymouth beach. One lady said: “Seaweed is all part of coming to the seaside. It simply smells of the sea and if you don't want to walk in it, you can walk around it.”
A gentleman disagreed: “The council should clear the seaweed up it's just spoiling the look of the Weymouth beach. To wade through seaweed is not nice and without it there it’d just be sand which is much nicer.”
TripAdvisor reviewer, Chris noted “the carpet of seaweed left children crying as they didn't like walking on it," but during our visit, children appeared unfazed by the vast amount of seaweed.
However, one lady shared her concern: “I personally don't like to see it, especially when you have little ones and they're going down to the sea. I think it's slippery and not safe.”
Another beachgoer replied: “It’s seaweed, where else are you going to find it? What are you going to do about it… ban seaweed?”