WORK is to be carried out to manage the build-up of pebbles on Crooklets beach in Bude.

Cornwall Councillor for Bude, Peter La Broy, said: “Over the last couple of years I have had several complaints about the build-up of pebbles at Crooklets beach. The Environment Agency have told me that the accumulation should be regarded as a natural defence, as it dissipates energy from waves and storms at high tides. I had been happy to accept that, but as any local surfer or beach user will know, a steeply shelving bank will cause waves to break and possibly focus energy in the spot where the waves spill over and ‘dump’.”

More recently, at the southern end of the promenade steps at Crooklets, it has become noticeable that the sea cliff is being undermined by wave action, which is believed to have increased due to the profile of the beach and pebbles.

This particular zone has had some work (concrete reinforcement) in the past and Cllr La Broy had hoped to have seen the area repaired, believing it shouldn’t be ‘particularly expensive or difficult to do’.

He continued: “This is where there is a conflict of opinion, as the Environment Agency with Cornwall Council have a Shoreline Management Plan for all of Cornwall. The original plan defined Crooklets as ‘hold the line’ which meant that we could reasonably expect to have the work done. However, the original Shoreline Management Plan — lifetime to 2025 — was superseded some years ago and the Crooklets area redefined as ‘managed realignment’. The result of this definition is that Crooklets will now no longer be actively protected, but assets such as paths and buildings will be moved away from the edge when necessary.”

So what is next for the beach? Cllr La Broy added: “I firmly believe that the frontage at Crooklets is of extreme significance to Bude, as our prime economic activity of tourism relies on our beach areas and natural environment to be managed sensitively but also realistically. I have brought this matter forward to the town council and Bude Coastal Community Team who are supportive of active intervention in this area.

“I hope that by gathering support for this, it will encourage the Environment Agency and Cornwall Council to work together with us locally to make a sensible management plan for our beaches — especially Crooklets — and ensure they are preserved for us to enjoy for many more years.”