VISITORS will once again be able to easily access a Dorset beach after new steps were unveiled.
The new steps down to Durdle Door beach have been rebuilt to provide access to the popular beach and swimming spot after the original steps collapsed.
The steps partially collapsed during the summer of 2012, followed by complete collapse in early 2014, leading to severely restricted access to the beach, with only the most agile able to negotiate the slope.
After cliff falls in 2013-14 closed part of the South West Coast path, the Lulworth Estate have been in talks with national and regional agencies responsible for coastal access in an attempt to rectify the situation.
Following a meeting held in January between the Lulworth Estate, Natural England, Dorset Countryside and the World Heritage Team, the estate decided to reinstate access to the beach by funding and rebuilding the steps to Durdle Door. The cost of the project was met by revenue generated from the car parks at Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
Current owner of the Weld Estate, James Weld, opened the 88 steps. He said he was delighted the access had been reinstated.
He said: “We have been acutely aware of the inconvenience and loss of a much loved rural beach to locals and holiday makers, especially those staying at nearby Durdle Door Holiday Park.
“In the end, regardless of who was officially responsible for the steps or the cost, we felt the situation could not continue and are delighted to have been able to put Durdle Door back on the map for walkers, holiday makers and anyone fascinated by this extraordinary feature.”
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