Getting South Shields' beaches ready for summer - teams hard at work preparing our golden sands for influx of visitors

Our stunning coastline’s golden sands are likely to be more popular than ever this year as lockdown restrictions lift and more people opt to stay at home or head to UK destinations due to the pandemic.

South Tyneside hotels have already been reporting a boom in bookings, with even visitors from as far afield as Kent and Cornwall planning trips to the borough now restrictions are lifting.

While businesses prepare for an influx, South Tyneside Council teams are getting our coastline ready for summer, carrying out the annual sand clearance and beach reinstatement works along the seafront.

This involves both mechanical and manual methods of moving wind swept sand from footpaths and redistributing it back onto the beach, and visitors to the coast have probably seen the machinery in action.

The work is carried out every year ahead of the summer months.

It comes after news South Shields’ Sandhaven Beach has retained its Seaside Award by Keep Britain Tidy, given to beaches as a mark they are clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as tough international bathing water quality standards.

Councillor Ernest Gibson, lead member for Area Management and Community Safety at South Tyneside Council, said the work was important to make sure the seafront was looking its best – particularly as the area gears up for staycation visitors.

“We are extremely proud of our award-winning beaches,” he said.

“In anticipation of the summer months ahead, we are carrying out our annual sand clearance and beach reinstatement works along the foreshore.

“This involves the mechanical clearance of sand which has built up over the winter months along our promenades and pathways as well as beach levelling to redistribute sand along the full length of our beaches.

“This is necessary as winter storms move sand up the beach.

“In addition to this, our beaches are cleaned daily.

“These works help us to make sure our seafront is looking at its very best, not only for our residents, but for visitors looking to enjoy a staycation in South Tyneside this summer.”

Visitors to beaches are asked to be vigilant regarding moving machinery while the works are underway.

Support your Gazette and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.