Family trapped on condemned Cornwall beach

-Credit: (Image: HM Coastguard Padstow)
-Credit: (Image: HM Coastguard Padstow)


Local coastguard crews have raised awareness that a Cornwall beach is off-limits to the public after being tasked with helping a family who ran into trouble.

HM Coastguard Padstow took to Facebook today (Sunday, September 22) to highlight that there's no access to Bedruthan Steps.

They said in a statement: "The team was tasked after concerns were raised for a family on Bedruthan steps beach. There is currently no access to the beach via the steps following a rock fall. After a short while the family made their own way to top of steps where team members let them through the padlocked gate. They were offered safety advice and the gate was secured by the National Trust."

Bedruthan Steps, which is owned by the National Trust, has been closed to the public since 2019 due to issues with rockfalls and landslides. While the incident involving the family happened on Saturday, August 31, the Coastguard have just released details.

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In 2022, the National Trust urged people not to go to the scenic beach: "We are joining with the RNLI and Coastguard in asking visitors to not try and access Bedruthan beach at the current time. There are dangerous sea currents along this stretch of coast along with the very real risk of getting cut off by the tide.

"During December 2019 a significant rock fall took place, damaging the cliff face around the steps to the beach as well as the safety infrastructure, and in January 2021 there was a further cliff fall on neighbouring land above Bedruthan beach. Following the first fall, the National Trust commissioned an initial exploratory report to determine the stability of the cliff face and if access could be reinstated.

"The report concluded that further, in-depth, specialist feasibility studies would be required. The pandemic delayed this work, but we are now able to progress feasibility work. We are consulting with expert partners and neighbouring landowners to consider options as they become clear.

"We cannot allow access to the beach until we know it is safe to visit and ask all members of the public to avoid finding other ways down to the beach for their own safety." "