Link plans for swimming platform

Campaigners want the link to the platform reinstated

A path and footbridges leading to a popular swimming platform and beach in Devon may be reinstated.

The platform is situated on a rocky outcrop at Castle Cove in Dartmouth. The beach was closed for six years when the footpath was declared unsafe.

Devon County Council reinstated some of the path in 2006, but not all of it.

South Hams District Council is considering partly paying for a new path and walkway if local campaigners raise half of the £70,000 it will cost.

We need this last section of path Simon Drew, campaigner

For many years there was a path and series of footbridges to the platform from the beach, enabling swimmers to get there during any tide.

Local people are believed to have bathed off the platform for at least 100 years. It even used to have diving boards and changing rooms.

However, over the years many bridges have been washed away in storms and not replaced.

Swimmers and fishermen have continued to use the platform, but there have been instances of people being cut off by the tide.

South Hams Council is considering whether to pay £35,000 for a new path and cantilevered walkway to the platform if campaigners match the funding.

'Frustrating situation'

Wally Flete, from the Castle Cove Campaign, said he was fairly confident they would be able to raise the money.

He said: "There's a lot of goodwill. It's a case of harnessing that goodwill to get the necessary funds to finish the job."

Another local campaigner, Simon Drew, said it was a frustrating situation.

He said: "We're very grateful for what's been done so far, but they haven't finished the job.

"We need this last section of path and footbridges to stop that happening."