Users of the secluded Maycock’s Beach in St Lucy want help in cutting a path to the popular spot.
Its killer waves and pristine conditions beckon locals and visitors, especially surfers, but they have a tough time navigating the hilly track to and from the unspoilt shoreline.
One resident said at one point those in the surrounding area which included Husbands, had banded together and approached the nearby Arawak Cement Plant to assist them in clearing it as part of a community effort. However, that appears to be on the back burner as the company looks to deal with more pressing complaints from nearby homeowners about its plant.
The retiree, who preferred not to give his name to the SATURDAY SUN team, said about 15 years ago, there was a clear but steep path to the beach which vehicles traversed in order for beach lovers to access the area. However, over time that became overrun by trees and other vegetation, restricting that access and forcing beach-goers to park and make their way down to the beach and then back up.
“This was one of the few pristine beaches in St Lucy. There were excursions, surfing, swimming, snorkelling there . . . . It still is popular, but now you must park on the cliff since the road is impassable because of the vegetation,” he said.
That Wednesday, the news team encountered several tourists, mainly surfers, looking to take advantage of the much vaunted groundswells at the location. A group complained that while the scenery left them breathless, so did the uphill trek out of the area.
The resident said the access needed to be opened up to the community and the general population since hundreds came to the spot but had to be diverted from what used to be the main entrance.
A spokesperson for Arawak said on Thursday that the company was still committed to helping the community as stated at the last town hall meeting held with neighbours.
The spokesperson said, however, the company was in the process of carrying out internal assessments, since safety was its top priority and it was looking at all alternatives without compromising the safety of its employees or its neighbours.
The next town hall meeting is tentatively scheduled for next month, where various alternatives will be discussed. (AC)
