West Wittering beach to remain closed - but early details given on reopening

The popular sunbathing spot has been closed for the last few weeks after the Government introduced lockdown measures in response to the threat of coronavirus.

Today the West Wittering Estate, which manages the site, released a statement saying it would announce its plans in the coming weeks.

It said: ‘The safety of our staff, visitors and local community is our utmost priority and over the past few weeks we’ve been working on plans to gradually reopen the beach to support social distancing.

‘We will be announcing our plans in the coming weeks, however in the meantime we remain closed until we update that it’s safe to reopen.

‘We therefore kindly ask visitors to not visit the beach or in any circumstances park in the local community to do so.’

As part of reopening, anyone driving to the beach by car will need to pre-book through an online system, with a limit in place to help make sure social distancing guidelines are adhered to.

This will not apply to pass holders.

Ahead of Boris Johnson’s lockdown announcement in March, beachgoers were criticised after thousands headed to West Wittering at the weekend – prompting the car park to be closed.

From Wednesday, people will be allowed to go to parks, drive to other destinations and play sports outside – but only with members of their own households.

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