Beaches should not be crowded with chairs – Fraser
Deputy Premier Julian Fraser has expressed concern over reports that public access to beaches in the Virgin Islands is being hindered by beach chairs lining the coast, particularly in tourist-heavy areas like Cane Garden Bay.
Fraser was speaking at the time on the government’s Virgin Islands Voice programme. Some residents have complained that they are unable to freely enjoy the beach because of commercial operations occupying large sections of the shoreline.
“If you go in some place like Cane Garden Bay, it’s virtually impossible to get any space on the beach as the entire coast is filled with chairs,” the moderator noted during the show.
Fraser responded, “I didn’t realise that they were crowding the beach with chairs. That should not be the case.” He explained that the current policy allows businesses to use beaches for commercial purposes only under the condition that they remove their chairs at the end of each day.
“Our policy is that you take your chairs up in the evening, you bring them out when you need them,” Fraser stated.
He acknowledged complaints that some vendors leave their chairs out permanently, citing the labour involved in daily removal. However, he stressed that no business has ownership of public beach space. “Anyone who wants to use the beach is supposed to seek permission from the ministry,” Fraser explained.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley also weighed in on the issue, praising efforts already underway at Long Bay Beach to better manage space between visitors, residents, and businesses. “A part of the beach management process is making sure that we have a balance,” he stated.
Dr Wheatley pointed to the Long Bay Beach Management Plan as a model which sets guidelines on where and how beach chairs can be placed. He praised the Deputy Premier’s ministry for enforcing those standards and suggested the same approach could be expanded to other beaches across the territory.
Public concerns about access to beaches have been growing as tourism rebounds and private businesses seek to cater to cruise visitors and overnight guests. Under the BVI Constitution, all beaches in the territory are public up to the high-water mark.
Fraser committed to looking into the situation further.
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Beach chairs are the least of our worries, especially when we only have 2 Lifeguards in the whole territory.
“If you go in some place like Cane Garden Bay, it’s virtually impossible to get any space on the beach as the entire coast is filled with chairs,” – You should see the once beautiful Beef Island.
“I didn’t realise that they were crowding the beach with chairs. That should not be the case.” – that’s because Gov. Officials are out of touch with reality and they do not even visit a beach in their territory.
MITCH REPRESENTS AND LIVES DOWN THERE….YO DONT WANT TO DISRESPECT HE BUT YOU’RE CRITICIZING FRASER INSTEAD
Beach chairs on Cane garden bay beach is old news been happening for years.
Finally. I can agree with Fraser. Beach chairs are everwhere. Never put away. Inagine when the extra 500,000 that P487 wants. Next will be concreting the beaches over so the sand is no longer a problem.
Natures little Secret is a lnng way away as we speed full on until we are nothing more than a stationary cruise ship in the sun,, with bars, a place to swim, chairs and a cultural fake show for the tourists. Oh, and lots of money for the politicians and there elite friends.
seriously, if your representative does not know about how the most famous beach in Tortola looks on a day to day basis (for the past decade+) – how in touch with this country is he really!? That’s like saying “I didnt know the roads were bad” or “I didn’t know immigration was painful” etc, oh wait.
These older folks should move aside and let this country develop. Our economy is dead and we need to do what ever it takes to boost it.
comments from an out of touch politician. Lifeguards are the issue not beach chairs. This dinosaur needs replacing soon!
Fraser why not start with fixing that hair mess that you got going on top your head then deal with beach chairs after. Charity begins at home after all.
With all due respect Hon. Fraser, Cane Garden Bay beach is the least of what you should be discussing. How about those 3 stupid speed bumps you’ve allowed to be built in the district you pass through that’s a hinderance to motorists and emergency service personnel and law enforcement when addressing incidents. By time Ambulance get over those, the person has already died or i hired going over them.
You’ve allowed the 3rd district to become a filthy community under your 20+ years tenure and settle for the bare minimum in its outlook. A major project for you is cutting bush or doing things of little significance to the wider community.
It’s time to retire sir, it’s just time.
Thank you for your time and collection of our tax dollars but it’s time for the community and country to grow.
I am from CGB and I am sick of that bull! It is an eye sore. The entire stretch of beach have blasted chairs. Where do we who are not renting chairs sit and enjoy the beach? Not all of us are guests to CGB. We should not all feel subjected to renting chairs for a spot on the beach. Who came up with this mess? It is foolishness.
What is Mitch doing about Cane Garden Bay? We do not like the idea of chairs taking up every inch of the beach. There is literally nowhere to sit or stand on the beach. It is over crowded and just looks terrible. It has to go.
Like seriously! What are we really doing with the beach? Cane Garden Bay beach is now only beach chairs and umbrellas. Is no one going to say anything about it? It looks terrible. Just driving down the hill alone, all you see is a beach stretch full of umbrellas and chairs. Does the district rep not see this? Do you think this is acceptable Melvin Turnbull? You cant even relax on the beach anymore unless you are renting. How did we come to this? WE do not want to rent chairs and umbrellas, we just want to enjoy the beach.
The ones with the most chairs are squatting on Gov property. Stop giving them a license to be there! It’s gov that allows this. It is gov destroying the beach. Make those vendors move the chairs! They don’t own the beach or property they have squatted on!
There aren’t any illegal vendors down in CGB. Those are all legit businesses who feel they own CGB, and Mitch don’t tell them ANYTHING!
On behalf of the 2nd District. Thank you Hon. Fraser!
I as at Cane on Tuesday when Disney was in. Yes there are a lot of chairs in front of Paradise/Myetts but there is plenty of beach further down. I support that businesses should be licenced. I was pleasantly suprised at the cleanliness of beach and water, i assume the chair owners are raking the beach before putting them out. If we are to entertain the cruise ship industry then visitors need a beach to go to and Cane seems is the one. If you are hankering for privacy there are several beaches the taxi’s do not go. My beef is jet ski’s, the swim bouys are gone and jet ski’s in an anchorage is a disaster waiting to happen