New petition launched as pressure grows to reopen Mount Batten Beach safely
Rebecca Smith MP has launched a petition calling on Plymouth City Council and the Government to secure specialist expertise and work towards the safe reopening of Mount Batten Beach
South West Devon MP Rebecca Smith has launched a petition calling on the Government and Plymouth City Council to support the safe reopening of Mount Batten Beach and peninsula following the discovery of asbestos contamination.
The petition follows a public meeting attended by more than 140 people, where residents, sea swimmers, watersports users, local businesses and community groups received an update on the ongoing investigation.
It calls on the Government and Plymouth City Council to secure specialist expertise as quickly as possible to identify the source of the contamination, provide clear answers for the community and work towards the safe reopening of Mount Batten.
Rebecca Smith said: "Mount Batten is an incredibly important part of life in South West Devon and further afield. It is used every day by sea swimmers, sailors, paddleboarders, kayakers, families and many others, and its continued closure is having a real impact.
"It was encouraging to hear that Plymouth City Council's Public Health team is committing additional resources to this work.
"However, the next crucial step is securing the specialist expertise needed to identify the source of the contamination so we can begin to get the answers local people deserve.
"This petition is about showing both the Government and Plymouth City Council the strength of feeling in our community. People want to see this work treated as an urgent priority so that progress can be made as quickly as possible.
"Everyone wants to see Mount Batten reopened, but it must only reopen when it is safe to do so. The sooner we can get the answers residents deserve, the sooner we can move towards a safe reopening."
The petition states that the continued closure of Mount Batten Beach and peninsula is having a significant impact on local residents, sea swimmers, watersports users, businesses and the wider community.
It also notes that specialist expertise is needed to identify the source of the asbestos contamination and determine the steps required to reopen the site safely.
The petition asks the Government and Plymouth City Council to secure the necessary specialist expertise as soon as possible, provide the community with clear information on the next steps, and work at pace towards the safe reopening of Mount Batten Beach and peninsula.
Ms Smith says the petition will be presented to Parliament when it returns in September.
Residents wishing to support the petition can sign it at: www.rebecca-smith.org.uk/campaigns/do-you-want-see-mount-batten-beach-safely-reopened-sign-my-petition-below