New project aims to make Weymouth Beach a leading example in beach accessibility

A day at the beach should be something everyone can enjoy! People with disabilities and long-term health conditions in Dorset are set to benefit from improved access to beaches and the sea, as a new project gains momentum across the county.

A pilot scheme at Weymouth Beach has secured funding from Dorset Council’s Local Regeneration Fund and Community Infrastructure Levey, allowing partners to test what works before expanding improvements to other areas.

The project aims to remove barriers and make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to get onto the beach, move around comfortably, and even get into the water. It’s about creating a more inclusive space for residents and visitors alike and making sure nobody misses out on what makes Weymouth special.

This is a partnership project, including Weymouth Town Council, Weymouth Surf Life Saving Club, Dorset Council and the Dorset Coast Forum. It builds on feedback from disabled people and local communities, helping ensure changes are practical, safe and make a real difference.

Take a look at the video to hear more from Cllr Steve Robinson, Will Behenna, Founder of the Beach Access Project and Ben Heath, Weymouth Town Council.

A Coast for All report launched in Parliament

On the 18 May, the Inclusive Beach Access project team attended an event in the House of Commons, for the launch of the ‘A Coast for All’ Beach Access Survey Report at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature.

The report was produced through a collaboration between Will Behenna and the University of Brighton, highlighting the need for access to blue space, the barriers people may face getting into the water and sets out how coastal areas can become more inclusive.