A surfing teacher says he has been left high and dry after steps leading to a large chunk of Aberdeen Beach were suddenly closed off over safety concerns.
The city council cordoned off the access routes to a 540-yard stretch of the beach on Friday, after an estimated 140,000 tonnes of sand was blown away.
The authority said the erosion had left 6ft drops at the foot of concrete ramps leading down to the shore, which could injure beach users or leave them unable to get off the sand should the tide come in.
But the area in question, near the site of the former Amadeus nightclub, is thought to offer the best waves for surfing lessons and was to host a beach safety session this summer.
Campbell Scott, founder of Scot Surf School, said he was not consulted about the closure and is now appealing for the council to agree a compromise which will allow him to continue using the stretch.
Mr Scott said: “I found out that the beach was being closed when I was watching the news, I wasn’t informed by the council.
“I went down to the beach to watch the barriers being put up and watch it be closed off.
“I completely understand why the council has to shut access to the beach, if it’s in the best interest of safety, but it’s not as easily done to move to the north end of the beach.
“I want to come to some sort of compromise where I can still educate people on water and beach safety.
“I will have to reassess the beach safety camp I was organising to educate kids and let them know what to look out for.”
Mr Scott added that the section of the beach closed by the council is “the most welcoming and popular”, especially for the type of waves needed to teach beginners.
He said: “The waves in this area are spilling waves, this means they are the most helpful for beginners and learners.
“Unlike the dumping waves in the north side of the beach, which are a lot more powerful.
“There’s a reason I don’t teach on that side, and I’m hoping to meet a council officer to see if we can come to a compromise.”
Mr Campbell also hopes to raise the issue that advanced surfers who do use the north side could be dragged into the surf nearest to the closed off section and then struggle to return to the promenade.
He added: “If someone has been out surfing for a while in the area that isn’t closed off to the public, they could be tired and drift closest to where the stairs are closed off.”
Aberdeen City Council is considering ways of solving the problem, including introducing more sand from elsewhere, moving sand from another end of the beach or placing “rock armour” strategically along the shoreline.
Council operations convener, John Wheeler, said he was aware of the issue but stressed that the closure was carried out at short notice for health and safety reasons.
He added: “We were warned that there may be a danger to residents, and had to close the section for safety reasons.”
