Beach problems ahead of holidays

LACK of access to the lookout point at the Port Control Tower overlooking Alkantstrand and the harbour will be denied for the seventh consecutive year as renovations continue at the construction site.

That’s just one negative ahead of the summer tourism season where the conditions at Alkantstrand are cause for major concern.

With barely a month to go before the swimming season that will see thousands flock to Richards Bay’s main beach every day, the facilities are in great need of improvement.

Constantly subjected to vandalism, few of the public toilets and taps are in proper working condition.

But it is at the shoreline itself where the greatest problems are apparent.

Repetitive storm surges have caused plenty of damage to the greater ocean environment, with ongoing erosion of the coastal dune face owing to rising sea levels, and depletion of beach sand.

Erected towards the end of 2015, the geobag defensive wall at the main beach has proved its weight in gold in protecting the beach infrastructure.

However, replenishment of beach sand through the pumping of dredger spoil has been far too sporadic in the past to be of any benefit, and the beach is fairly denuded.

In fact, at peak high tide there is literally no sand between the shore and the water.

Added to that is the fact that the broken stairway leading down to the beach remains unrepaired – a major problem for the elderly and families with young children who are unable to climb up and down the geobag ‘stairs’.

Long-term plans are for a total revamp of the beachfront, but until then, beach access remains a critical issue.

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