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Agatha Christie's favourite beach is a 'slum'

Agatha Christie swam at Beacon Cove (photo courtesy: Derek Harper)

A beach near Torquay where crime writer Agatha Christie used to take a dip looks like a slum...according to a local resident.

Part of Agatha Christie Mile, Beacon Cove is a short walk from Torquay's harbour side and at the turn of the last century was known as Ladies Bathing Cove. And whilst the council describes it as "a perfect haven away from the main beach", today it's strewn with weeds and litter. 

Graham Stephenson, who lives at Imperial Court Park, Hill Road, describes it as "Torquay's slum." He says that the area has begun strangled by weeds, he's been stung by nettles on the path, and once he arrived at the beach, he was met by litter and broken bottles. "It is such a shame however that Torquay presents itself as a ‘depressed and uncared for’ environment.  The footpaths are alive with weeds and dead palm fronds.

“The hedge beside the footpath is being strangled by weeds.  The grass, which was long, was eventually cut, but not collected and so it has turned to hay which blows around in the wind. The viewing area at the top of the hill has seating and several specially constructed palm islands which are now overgrown with weeds and the granite chips have spread on to the footpath.  The black sacking round the palms is exposed and untidy.

“I walked down the footpath to Beacon Cove and was stung by nettles and scratched by overgrown brambles.  I survived the journey to be met by the sight of litter and broken bottles on the beach.

“There is no bin which encourages visitors to leave their litter around.  This cove has a sign saying no loud music, but most weekends are spoiled by noisy gatherings on the beach, with amplified sound, fires and tents.  Not to mention the litter left behind. The rubbish collection points are inadequate for picnickers and parties and consequently the rubbish is just dumped and attacked by the seagulls.

“Come on, Torbay Council, get out and about on foot and see for yourselves what tourists see, and endeavour to do something about the shameful environment we find ourselves living in.”

A Torbay Council spokesman responds: “Torbay Council strives to try maintain a good standard for all amenity areas, however with continued budget cuts this is becoming increasingly harder. Torbay Council say they have asked their contractor to look at tidying up the area, but said that increasing budget cuts has made it harder for them to maintain a good standard for all their amenity areas."

 

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