ConocoPhillips have closed off access to Corkbeg strand....

Whitegate co. Cork.
As stated the access to Corkbeg strand had now been blocked by ConocoPhillips.
This is a disgrace.
Its a family beach area and also a great angling venue.
This has also been a public right of way which has in my view been blocked off with no real explaination as to why.
As anglers in the cork area and elsewhere this is something we cant let happen, what will be next?
Please take the time to use the contack page below to voice your opinion.
Thank you.


http://www.conocophillips.com/EN/utilit ... mpany.aspx

When did this start? What's their rationale for this? Is there a right of way for the public to access the foreshore? Any other groups getting up in arms about it?

its been blocked for a few months.but you can get in down by the soccer pitch and across the pipes a few people still fishing is there

It was supposed to open back up to the public in June/July but this hasn't happened for some reason?

Good on you for high lighting this .Tried to get to the beach a couple of times and failed ,its a disgrace!!!!!

I spoke with the mayor of whitegate about it.
There was a cable being run from ring over to the strand and it was closed for "public safety"
Fine.
But they never re-opened it.
"teens lighting fires" was the excuse given to the mayor... he wrote letters and got no witten responce... or course he didnt!!!
They are just closing it off full stop, IN 15 YEARS OR SO FISHING THIS BEACH I HAVE NEVER SEEN A LIGHTING FIRE.
There are signs up forbidding it.... has anyone else???
This must be stopped... its a gem in Cork harbour.... Bass...place..flounder...thorn backs..dogs.. mack.. pollack.. and there are mullet too ...oh and whiting..
These are the species i have caught there over the years...
Its also a beach close to whitegate...the next one is white bay...too far to walk too...
I urge all of you to take the time to write a note of what you think about multinat companies closing access to OUR fishing rights!!!!!

WHERE WILL BE NEXT?????????

Please post the info on your facebook pages!!!
And ask for people to click on the link and write a note!!!!
Lets get it open again... not just for cork but for all of us!!

Hi again... if you have not already posted the info. on your face book page can you do so, and if you know anyone in any position that may put pressure on the refinery to take down the fence can you speak with them please?
Thanks.....

Not sure if it's the same where you are but in Scotland a public right of way cannot be blocked off. Our local council would take action, some info here - http://www.scotways.com/

Thanks, ya... the councill here are not replying to the Mayor... he still working on it though...

First thing you've got to do is establish if there is a public right of way there. Dunno how'd you go about that, there isn't a definitive list/map like they have in GB, is there?

First thing you've got to do is establish if there is a public right of way there. Dunno how'd you go about that, there isn't a definitive list/map like they have in GB, is there?

Here is an interesting link..
http://www.aclsolicitors.ie/news/judge_ ... ts_of_way/

Bump!

keep the awareness going!

Dear Mr Dunne

I am writing to you in reply to the concerns raised regarding access to Corkbeg beach.

Following discussions with several local stakeholder groups, including local businesses, local law enforcement, the Irish Ministry of Defence, and the Residents Committee, ConocoPhillips has recently been reviewing security at our Whitegate site and has been taking steps to improve the integrity of our site boundaries. We appreciate that some of these steps may impact ability to access areas adjacent to our site but our first priority must be to ensure the security of our facility and the safety of those in proximity to it.

Regards


John McCarthy

HS&E Lead
ConocoPhillips Ireland
Tel +353 21 462 2232
Fax +353 21 462 2222
ETN 371-2232
e-mail john.mccarthy@conocophillips.com

Registered Office: ConocoPhillips Whitegate Refinery Ltd., Whitegate, Midleton, Co Cork
Company Number: 16576

Is there actually a public right of way? Establishing that has surely got to be your first priority.

Who was on the residents committee, what do they have to say?

Sounds like they don't intend to re-open access at all.

Try contacting the Environment Correspondents of the various daily and sunday papers? Some of them love stories like this.

can you get a photo of the blocked access? be good to see and would inspire a movement. The only real way forward would be similar to Fish Fight. a Campgain where every beach user in the country says NO WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET THIS HAPPEN (fishermen, beachwalkers, Windsurfers etc) also if theres any Special Amenity Order within the area that might be useful and could be sent to Brussels via email. Plague the local politicians as well and Dept of the Environment, oh and the EPA just for good measure! Companies/Private land owners can make life difficult granting people access to the foreshore BUT we can make it akward back!

well said.....
Again i would urge people to put a note up on your facebook page or whatever to get the information out that companies might try to do this to a beach near you... or a walk etc.
I am going to phone the Mayor of whitegate over the weekend to see if he has any more updates... and we may get our own Facebook page going to condemn this type of behaviour...
Give us OUR beach back !!!There will be some form of demonstration in the near future i am sure of that....
A possible landing on the beach by kayak and boat may be on the cards with an invite to the papers to cover it.....

Access to corkbeg beach is kinda restored... if you want to ...call to the security hut in conocophillips and get the "key" to the LOCKED GATE ...PREVENTING YOU FROM FREELY WALKING DOWN A PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY.......do these people think the Irish nation are thick?
What a bloody insult!
Get rid of the gate Conocophillips!!
Give the Irish people back the right we always had... to walk on OUR beach..
Open it up NOW!