Antigua and Barbuda urges public to report blocked beach access
Key Points(5)
- The Antigua and Barbuda government is urging residents to report any instances where public access to beaches is blocked or restricted as coastal development continues across the country.
- The Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, through the Development Control Authority (DCA), said the initiative is aimed at protecting established public access to the coastline and ensuring residents and visitors can continue to use the country’s beaches.
- Under the message “Public Beach Access Is Your Right!”, the ministry is reminding the public that Antigua and Barbuda’s beaches are public resources and that lawful access should be protected.
- Residents who encounter gates, fences, barriers or other measures that appear to restrict established access routes are encouraged to report them to the relevant authorities for investigation.
- The DCA noted that longstanding public use of an access route may establish access rights and that coastal developments are required, where applicable, to make appropriate provisions for beach access.
The Antigua and Barbuda government is urging residents to report any instances where public access to beaches is blocked or restricted as coastal development continues across the country.
The Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, through the Development Control Authority (DCA), said the initiative is aimed at protecting established public access to the coastline and ensuring residents and visitors can continue to use the country’s beaches.
Under the message “Public Beach Access Is Your Right!”, the ministry is reminding the public that Antigua and Barbuda’s beaches are public resources and that lawful access should be protected.
Residents who encounter gates, fences, barriers or other measures that appear to restrict established access routes are encouraged to report them to the relevant authorities for investigation.
The DCA noted that longstanding public use of an access route may establish access rights and that coastal developments are required, where applicable, to make appropriate provisions for beach access.
The government said the appeal is particularly important as development expands along coastal areas, potentially affecting traditional routes used by residents to reach beaches.
Antigua is famed for its 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, making its coastline a major part of the country’s tourism appeal and natural heritage.
Authorities are encouraging residents to remain vigilant and report concerns rather than allowing established access points to disappear without scrutiny.
The government said beaches are an important part of Antigua and Barbuda’s natural heritage, culture, recreation and tourism industry, making continued public access a matter of national importance.
The Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation and the DCA are encouraging residents to help protect the country’s coastline by reporting suspected restrictions on public beach access.
