SIR — Life having generally got back into routine after the Christmas break, I thought I'd take the dog down to Minehead beach and see what the new sea defence work was like.
It looks as if it's going to last this time!
Bustle and I like a brisk trot along the sands from the golf club towards Dunster and then a leisurely return along the path above the beach back to the club.
Not this time! How on earth is one expected to get on to the beach at this location from now on?
Bustle took one look and, at 98 in human years, said a definite "No"! When I looked I didn't feel much younger!
Apart from a major leap and a prayer, the massive boulders are utterly un-negotiable! What's to be done?
Surely a very narrow gulley between the first few boulders could have been left, without weakening the defences, so that walkers and their dogs can safely get down on the sands, or even a few boulders arranged into flat giant steps would have made life easier.
As these masses look as if they will never move again, may I suggest that a metal flight of steps drilled to the stones has to be an idea, or at least get the machinery back to make some sort of sensible access.
I cannot believe this access problem did not occur to the men at work at the time of re-instating the defences.
I, for one, wish not to be the first into the new hospital with a broken leg, and if Bustle even started over the boulders she'd probably never be seen again, due to the manner, understandably, in which they are stacked.
Please let's sort this problem out before there is an accident.
I defy any but the nimblest of teenagers to be able to manage this tortuous obstacle in their effort to gain access to what is such a glorious walk along the beach.
Ros Robinson,
Bratton Lane,
Minehead.