The situation
If you were hoping to catch some waves at Mount Batten Beach in Plymouth, you’re out of luck. The popular swimming spot has been fenced off since this summer, and honestly, the vibes are off. Since 2019, asbestos has been washing up on the shore, and despite more than 1.5 tonnes of the toxic stuff being cleared out, it keeps coming back.
Why is this happening?
Experts think the issue is linked to the old RAF Mount Batten base, which shut down back in 1992. Maritime archaeologist Mallory Haas believes that roofing and construction waste from the old base was buried near the water, and now that the cliffs are eroding, all that nasty debris is getting exposed. It’s a literal historical dump coming back to haunt the beach.
The health risk
Real talk: asbestos is no joke. While current tests haven't found airborne fibers, officials found them in the sand during April and July. Inhaling these fibers can lead to serious lung conditions like lung cancer decades later. City public health director Professor Steve Maddern said closing the beach was a "last resort," but public safety had to come first.
The fallout
Local swimmers are feeling completely evicted from their community space. With the beach being a key part of the UK’s first National Marine Park, the fact that it’s sitting behind a fence is a total L. Local MP Rebecca Smith is pushing the council to stop stalling, and some local businesses, like The Bridge restaurant, have already been forced to close down due to the lack of visitors.
Why it matters
Public safety is non-negotiable, but six years is a long time for a community to be shut out of their own backyard. The council says they’re making the cleanup a "high priority," but until they hire a contractor to find the exact source of the erosion, the beach remains a no-go zone. It’s a reminder that even when we think we’ve cleaned up the past, sometimes it’s just waiting to wash up on our shore.
