Severe lack of open car parks, toilets and catering facilities puts visitors and residents in the area of outstanding natural beauty at risk, Norfolk Coast Partnership says
Following the government’s announcement on Sunday, 10 May that people can ‘drive to other destinations’, the people, communities and wildlife of the Norfolk Coast are asking visitors not to visit
at the present time to avoid an influx in visitors over the forthcoming bank holiday weekend.
With many car parks still closed; public conveniences closed; and businesses with conveniences also closed there is a severe lack of provision on the coast for visitors. There are fears that there will be
traffic issues, and social distancing will be difficult to maintain.
Visitors to the Norfolk Coast are being urged to check the situation with car parks and toilets before travelling and, if deciding to travel, be considerate to the local communities by parking sensibly,
ensuring litter and other waste is taken home, and maintaining social distancing.
It is also a critical time of year for ground nesting birds, which are just settling down to nest and, taking advantage of lack of footfall, are often nesting in places they may not normally. A sudden influx
of visitors puts the fragile nature of the coast at risk, as well as the local communities that live and work here.
Organisations are working hard to put safety measures in place for social distancing, protecting wildlife and reopening provision such as toilets and car parks. Announcements will be made by individual organisations and businesses when this is the case via their websites and the media.
Estelle Hook, Manager of the Norfolk Coast Partnership said: “While it is not in the nature of the Norfolk Coast Partnership to encourage people to stay away, it is currently vital that we do so to
ensure these special places are not overwhelmed.”
“In many places on the coast there is not the infrastructure to support the necessary social distancing or to ensure that visitors have the facilities they would usually expect, such as car parks or toilets.”
She added: “Partners across the coast have convened a working group to look at ways of making access as safe as possible going forward. The organisations responsible for looking after this
wonderful coast continue to do so and are keen to welcome visitors back once facilities are open and working but at the present time it is safer to stay away.”
For more information contact Lucy Galvin on 07954 428437