Sandals beach access worries quickly rectified

In the midst of its extensive redevelopment Sandals Royal Bahamian resort was forced to remove its temporary safety fencing, after a video contending the company had restricted beach access adjacent to its property went viral.

The company issued a statement yesterday explaining that it received approval from the requisite authorities to erect the fencing as it was moving heavy equipment to the property and removing debris.

However, the viral video showed that the company’s fencing left only a small access to the beach, which the author of the video complained was not enough.

“Sandals Royal Bahamian is in the process of extensive renovations,” Sandals noted in its statement.

“With approval from the relevant local authorities, a temporary fencing had been erected to the western side of the property, for the safety of anyone wishing to access the beach and to ensure no hindrance to them from the movement of heavy equipment.

“The Cable Beach beach remains fully accessible to the public notwithstanding these temporary measures, which may be erected from time to time under the continued approval of the relevant authorities, to manage the flow of heavy construction equipment and trucks and equally to ensure the safety of all during the construction process.”

The old Cable Beach Manors complex is also being demolished, adding to the danger to beach goers at that easement.

This comes as the government’s handling of easements that allow public access to beaches came under scrutiny after a Paradise Island easement was fenced off by a land owner.

Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority Executive Chairman Shanendon Cartwright released a statement yesterday explaining that access to the beach was restored.

“All necessary adjustments have been made to ensure the safety of the beaching public due to ongoing demolition and construction exercises in the immediate area,” Cartwright said.

“The Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority remains committed to its mandate of ensuring unobstructed beach access and the safety of the Bahamian public.”

Sandals’ redevelopment has caused the company to delay its formerly announced November opening. The company noted in a statement last week that supply issues have caused the property’s opening to be pushed back to the beginning of 2022.

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/sandals-beach-access-worries-quickly-rectified/