Conservation Commission repairs public access path to Derricks Beach in St James

The National Conservation Commission (NCC) has repaired the public access path to Derricks Beach in St James.

General Manager Ryan Als told Barbados TODAY in a statement that the pathway was reopened on Saturday.

The beach access was at the centre of attention last month after residents and repeat visitors to the island complained about the deplorable state of the pathway.

However, Als said that some private property owners partnered with the NCC to allow for the pathway to be repaired.

“Beach erosion at Derricks beach eroded the base of the step to access the beach. This was exacerbated by an adjacent coastal structure in need of repair. The revetment was in need of repacking and undermined the footing of the step during high wave energy events. The wait to have the revetment re-packed to then reinstate the step has been far too long and we decided to rebuild the step despite not being able to solve the erosion problem,” he said.

“There was also the issue of not having access to carry out the repairs. Many thanks to the residents to the south of the beach access for allowing the team to use their property as a staging area to carry out the work. Without their help we would not have easy access to do the repairs. We excavated and rebuilt a deeper footing with ‘toe protection’ in an attempt to counteract moderate wave energy. The local community is now able to use the access once more.”

Our hope is that the property owner to the north of the access would repair their structure to reduce the damage being caused.

“We owe a heartfelt thanks to the Lawrence family for allowing the use of their property as a staging area and construction access. Without their permission the work could not be done. The NCC would like to say thank you. We are truly grateful,” Als added.

Situated along the West Coast near the Crystal Cove Hotel, public access to Derricks Beach requires one to walk a narrow path between private properties.

Last month, in another section of the media, residents and visitors complained that it was extremely difficult for them to go to the beach because the walkway, which ends where the seashore begins, had eroded as the concrete slabs were broken off.

They complained that the walkway was in that state for years.

(SZB)