Residents in Hayle are alarmed as sand is reportedly being taken from their beach, raising environmental concerns and sparking protests.
Hayle: Concerns are rising about sand being taken from a popular beach. Locals and visitors say diggers and trucks are removing sand from the beach along the estuary.
This isn’t the first time this issue has come up. Last summer, people voiced their worries about the environmental impact. Many believe this practice is dangerous for beachgoers and harmful to nature.
On a Facebook group called Help Stop Hayle Sand Being Taken Away!, members are sharing photos and videos of the diggers at work. They want to raise awareness about the situation.
Donna Bolton from Staffordshire shared her shock, saying the beach looks worse than she expected. She worries that if this continues, other beaches could be at risk too.
Adrian Crocker expressed his disappointment, saying the beach will never be the same. An anonymous poster also shared images of the diggers, praising those trying to raise awareness.
Cllr Peter Channon took an aerial photo of the dredging happening in January 2025. He explained that dredging is necessary to keep the area navigable for boats.
Chris Dormer pointed out that the sand being taken is where families relax and children play. SOS Cornwall stated that locals will protest until they get satisfactory answers about the sand removal.
Last August, Sophie Daniels started a petition to stop the dredging. She highlighted that the beach is suffering as sand is removed for profit, harming the environment.
Authorities claim the dredging is essential for keeping the channel clear for fishermen. However, many believe the excavation is happening too far from the central channel.
People are frustrated and have organized a protest outside Gilbert’s Beach Bar on February 2 from 1-3 PM. They want their voices heard.
Despite the uproar, Hayle Town Council insists that the sand removal is legal. Cllr Channon clarified that the beach is privately owned and dredging is necessary for the harbour’s operation.
He explained that the harbour needs regular dredging to prevent it from becoming too shallow. The sand sold helps fund this process.
Historically, dredging was done differently, but now it’s done with diggers and trucks. Cllr Channon emphasized that the goal is to keep the channel clear, not to profit from sand removal.
Hayle Harbour is regulated by the Hayle Harbour Act 1989, which allows for dredging to maintain safe navigation. The town council is in talks with various stakeholders to address community concerns.
They plan to provide updates soon, assuring residents that they are actively engaging with all relevant parties.
A spokesperson for the new contractors stated that dredging is legal and necessary for safe navigation. They clarified that sand is only removed from specific zones, not the beach.
They also mentioned that the sand is used for various purposes, including soil conditioning and children’s play areas. Regular dredging is crucial to ensure safe access for boats.
