Outrage as top UK seaside town plans to scrap lifeguards to save money
RESIDENTS in a popular UK seaside town have been outraged by plans to remove lifeguards from their beaches.
For some people, a trip to the seaside is not the same without a dip in the sea.
However, those heading to Great Yarmouth in Norfolk next summer could soon be at greater risk, with the local council planning to remove their lifeguards in a bit to save money.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council has said it could could drop its £58,678 subsidy for the RNLI posts at the town’s beach.
The move could also affect shorelines at Gorleston and Hemsby, with the council looking to make more than a £1million worth of savings.
Carl Smith, leader of the council, told the Great Yarmouth Mercury that “everything is on the table” and warned that there are still “more difficult decisions to be made”.
He added: “We looked at everything and a lot of work has gone into it. Hopefully, we can hit the target we are looking for.
“But we will need to continue to make more savings the following year so there are still more difficult decisions to be made.”
However, his words drew shocked responses from residents, who responded to the story on social media.
One wrote: “Isn’t the public’s safety more important than some of the things they are doing?”
Another said: “Bad decision. People/families might not visit beaches in the summer if there are no rescue plans or lifeguards not in place.”
A third added: “Typical of Great Yarmouth Borough Council. They want the tourists but actually they don’t care about their safety and well being.”
They aren’t the only people to have disagreed with the plans either.
Lyndon Bevan, chairman of Visit Great Yarmouth, told the BBC that tourists relied on lifeguards for a safe holiday at the seaside.
He said: “They see the lifeguard and then they see it’s safe for their children and everybody to go in the sea.
“What sort of place are we if we can’t make the beaches in this borough safe for the holidaymakers that come? It’s a very sad time.
“Would you take away the fire brigade, would you take away an ambulance service? When you don’t think you need it, suddenly you do.”
The RNLI released a statement of its own saying that without the council’s request, they would be unable to provide their services to the town’s beaches.
It reads: “Our charity provides patrols at the request of councils and landowners, who contribute to the wages of lifeguards.
“We are unable to operate on a beach without agreement from a council or landowner.
“We will continue to work closely with Great Yarmouth Borough Council on what the 2024 lifeguarding service will look like.”
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