Destruction of bluff, boardwalk raise safe access concerns at southern-most beaches

BY KENNY WALTER

Staff Writer

The protective bluff, a composite of rock, soil and sand, was damaged by the superstorm, and the city is blocking access to six beaches to protect the safety of beachgoers until the structure and access points are restored. The remains of the boardwalk destroyed by the storm are visible through a fence (left) that blocks public access to the beachfront along West End Avenue. PHOTOS BY KENNY WALTER Public access points to six Long Branch beaches will be blocked off for the summer as a result of superstorm Sandy, but the beaches will have lifeguards on duty.

Mayor Adam Schneider said in a March 1 interview that all access points south of Cottage Place would likely remain closed this summer because of the destruction of the boardwalk and the supporting bluff, which beachgoers would have to scale to access the beaches.

The bluff has been severely compromised. We dont even have a place to put steps. We dont have something to anchor them to, Schneider said. Those beaches probably will not have direct access.

Our first job is to keep anybody who goes to the beach safe, and we are going to keep as many of the other access points open.

However, Schneider said the beaches are expected to remain open to members of the public, who will have to use access points to the north.

People are going to walk where they want to walk and it is not the lifeguards job to say, Dont sit there, sit here, he said. They are too busy watching the ocean and we dont have enough cops, nor do we want them chasing people off.

Here is our concern: It is not just getting you down to the beach, its being able to protect you and keep you safe while youre there, he added. What if something happens can we get a rescue vehicle to you, can we get you off the beach?

Read more:

City plans for safe access to beaches