Closed to the public for nearly 20 years, this spectacular beach could soon reopen

Once a popular seaside spot full of sunbathers and swimmers, Newhaven West Beach in East Sussex has been inaccessible to the public since 2008. But last month, nearly two decades on, a new bill was introduced to parliament in the hopes of finally getting the coastal spot reopened. 

French owner Newhaven Port and Properties closed off Newhaven West Beach after deeming it ‘too dangerous’ – it said that the high waves and crumbling walls were a risk to the public. 

James MacCleary, a Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, has penned the Newhaven West Beach (Public Access) Bill to put the right of access to West Beach into law. If officially adopted by the government, the bill would force the beach to be reopened to locals and tourists. It would also mandate that safe public walking routes onto the sand are provided. 

MacCleary said: ‘West Beach is not just a strip of sand. It is part of Newhaven’s history, its identity and its community life. For 17 years, local families – including my own – have been denied access to a beach where generations once swam, played and made memories. That cannot be right.’

He added: ‘Of course safety and harbour operations matter. But they cannot be used forever as a blanket excuse to keep people away from a much-loved public amenity.

‘[The bill] sends a clear message: Newhaven deserves its beach back. The government must now adopt this bill and make it law’.

The campaign to reopen Newhaven West Beach comes amid efforts to revive the town and transform it back into a coastal destination. Newhaven Fort, a museum and Palmerston fort built in the nineteenth century, reopened to visitors last year after a £7.5million renovation that included a new escape room and adventure playground. There are also big plans for a splash park, children's play area, restaurant and outdoor gym along the town’s seafront. 

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