The convenor of the Kernow branch of the Celtic League has been lobbying Cornwall Council to give more protection to an area of sand dunes on the north coast of Cornwall.
Over the last couple of months Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, who is also the general secretary of the Celtic League, has been engaged in correspondence with the Environment portfolio holder on the Cornwall Council cabinet, Cllr. Julian German, to draw his attention to the erosion of Porthtowan dunes.
The erosion of the dunes had previously been attributed to the wind, but Mr Tal-e-bot told the Council that it is clear that the public are causing much of the damage - especially over the summer period - by traversing over and spending time on the dunes. There are several signs around the environmentally sensitive area, asking people to keep off the dunes, but many of these have been vandalised or lack prominence. Mr Tal-e-bot warned Cllr. German that until fences are repaired and other appropriate measures taken, the public would continue to use the dunes as a short cut and leisure area.
Mr Tal-e-bot has received a number of emails in support of his concerns, including one from a Porthtowan resident who wrote to say that he had witnessed the changes that have occurred in recent times first hand.
As a consequence of the growing interest shown in the issue, Cornwall Council stated last week that they are looking to manage the site better and that they had undertaken a site visit to see for themselves what could be done. A spokesman for the Council said:
The council have identified Porthtowan as a dune system in need of management and is looking for ideas to develop a locally owned solution to its ongoing problems.
Cornwall Council's countryside services said that the broken fences that had allowed public access to the dunes had now been dealt with and Mr Tal-e-bot said that he and other members of the branch would keep a close watch over how the Council would ensure changes took place.
Links:
For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, General Secretary, Celtic League:
Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666
gensec@celticleague.net
The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.
ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.
30/11/11
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