All-clear for National Coastwatch to site surveillance station outside Cleethorpes Leisure Centre

 

On the look-out for emergency incidents - a National Watch volunteer

THE organisation National Coastwatch has been given the all-clear to site a look-out station on the car park at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre 

North East Lincolnshire Council planners have granted temporary consent for the next 12 months.

The surveillance station will be accommodated within a modified twin-axle trailer measuring7.4m x 2.4m x 2.5m.

Says a report on the project: "The station will allow  two to four watchkeepers to observe beach and water-users at any one time during daylight hours, 365 days a year.

"Observations will also be made via two fixed cameras attached to the roof of  the  pier building on the  and the Fitties Yacht Club in Humberston."

National Coastwatch  is a charity which monitors the coastline to alert emergency services early to any incidents. 

The watchkeepers will also enjoy excellent view of the wildfowl and wading birds that flock to this part of the Lincolnshire Coast between August and March. 

The report notes that "the unit has the capabilities to informally provide information on the ecology in the area  such as bird sightings for any volunteers who may be interested in adding to local knowledge".

NELC says the number of car parking spaces to be lost will be small.

Theoretically, the volunteers would also be able to monitor breaches of by-laws such as dogs being walked on the beach in summer, but this not part of their brief.

The unit will provide watchkeepers with expansive views over the estuary

Waders in flight over the estuary in late summer last year