WATCH: 'Pebble pinchers' urged to help protect Saundersfoot's sea defences

Tindle News

Members of the public pinching pebbles and stones from Saundersfoot beach by the ‘bucket load’ - have been asked to consider the seaside village’s sea defences, which are waning. County councillor for the seaside village’s south ward, Cllr Chris Williams said that over the past few months, whilst working on The Strand, he has noticed more and more people trying to take stones from the beach. Calls continue for the community of Saundersfoot and local authorities to be proactive in protecting parts of the seaside village from future coastal erosion - and the need to protect it’s sea defences. Saundersfoot Community Council recently hosted a ‘Sustainable Communities’ public meeting in collaboration with Pembrokeshire County Council, with the aim to raise awareness about the challenges the seaside village will face in the future and to consider what actions may be possible to combat rising sea levels. Cllr Williams and fellow county councillor for the ward Alec Cormack have been in discussions with Angharad Llewelyn, Coastal Rivers & Drainage Manager, to look at another meeting to discuss the rising sea levels and the effect this has on the coastal village.  “Alec and I felt that we needed a small group, initially, to discuss the rising sea levels and how we can work together to try and find solutions locally,” said Cllr Williams. “It is then hoped to expand this further to all interested parties so that everyone can be involved if they so wish,” he continued. “One example of this is the pebbles on Saundersfoot beach. They are not native to this coastline and have been brought in over the years to protect the various properties and businesses on the Strand.” “South Pembrokeshire district council distributed the stones to protect the properties. The pebbles are there as a sea defence for the properties on the Strand. “This bank now forms an essential part of the sea defences for properties along the beach. Removal of stones and pebbles off the beach is not permitted,” added Cllr Williams. A meeting will be taking place on Monday, September 16, with Cllr Williams stating that he would share ‘findings and thoughts’ in a future report.  ©VIDEO: BBC

Transcript

00:00It's a classic childhood memory, collecting pebbles on a day out at the beach.

00:06But now, there are concerns that pebble pinching could make some beaches in Wales and properties

00:10nearby vulnerable to coastal erosion.

00:14In the 70s, more stones were added and that's where you see the grey stones are now.

00:20They're not natural to this beach.

00:22They were brought in to help protect the properties because the stones do break down.

00:27When you've got quite severe winds coming and storms, the stones do act as a good deterrent

00:34breaking up those waves.

00:36While it might seem like one pebble may not make a difference, there are concerns that

00:40the natural defences of beaches like this one in Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire will

00:44weaken over time.

00:45I'm guilty of it myself.

00:47Over the years when the school have had projects on, you'd bring it down with the children,

00:52you'd pick up a nice pebble, then you'd go home and decorate it, paint some nice art

00:56and then you'd sell them at maybe a school fete or for any charity event.

01:02Unfortunately, when you've been doing this for an awful long time and taking stones,

01:07it does sort of detract from what the job is.

01:11But what do beach goers think?

01:13I take it only very small.

01:15Whether that contributes to coastal erosion, I'm not too sure.

01:19We've got some acrylic paint pens.

01:21I was going to draw on some with our little girl to make memories and take them home to

01:26show family.

01:27A council meeting will be held next week to look at solutions.

01:31The aim is to ensure people can enjoy beaches like this and protect them for the future.

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