ONLY hours after safety fears were exclusively highlighted in the Free Press last Friday, district council workmen had moved this lifesaving equipment from a fenced-off area of Blue Anchor seafront to where the public has access to it.
As part of the continuing row over the closure of the footpath at the end of the new Steam Coast Trail, Blue Anchor Chalet Owners’ Association had arranged for a new post-and-rail fence to be built across an area of grass previously used by the public, cutting off access to the emergency lifebuoy.
The fence was funded by the environmental body Natural England.
Alerted by the Free Press to the situation, Blue Anchor district councillor Brenda Maitland-Walker arranged for the lifebuoy to be moved to the public side of the new fence.
“It seems there was a breakdown in communication,” she said.
“The chalet owners have agreed to pay for the work so at least ratepayers won’t be footing the bill.”