Campaigners have been celebrating news that access will be restored to a much-loved beach two months after steps to the spot were closed by the council.

Coastal erosion on the steps of Ryhope Beach was the reason Sunderland City Council made the decision to close access to the spot due to safety concerns, much to the dismay of visitors and locals.

According to estimates, the cliff edge on the south side of the steps has eroded by around five metres (16ft) in the last five years, with the erosion rate of the limestone cliffs weakening the structure of the steps.

The Northern Echo: Cllr Lindsey Leonard and campaigner Helen Glancy.Cllr Lindsey Leonard and campaigner Helen Glancy. (Image: CREOCOMMS)

However, following the closure, no date was provided by the council to begin restoration work, much to the anger of Cllr Lindsey Leonard and Helen Glancy who both campaigned to the council for work to re-commence.

Said campaign was successful, and work begun on October 27.

Cllr Lindsey Leonard, Labour councillor for Ryhope Ward, said: “We are thrilled that work has finally resumed on the restoration of the steps to Ryhope beach.

“Ever since they were closed off to the public, we’ve been keeping residents updated on the progress and constantly asking the Council if they can make the works a priority and we are delighted that those calls have now been heard.

“The beach has always been the jewel in Ryhope’s crown however – in the wake of Covid – more residents than ever before really grew to appreciate having it on their doorstep and hopefully it won’t be too long until they can enjoy visiting it once again.”

Helen Glancy, a former schoolteacher who regularly walked along Ryhope Beach until its closure in August, was one of the campaigners calling for the steps to be restored.

After being urged by the Ryhope Ward councillors to lend her voice to the campaign, she has since decided to stand as a local councillor and will now represent the Labour Party in May’s upcoming local elections.

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She said: “I’ve always been interested in politics and have helped canvas in the past, however it wasn’t until I got involved in helping restore the access to Ryhope beach that I thought I’d quite like to give it a go.

“Working with the ward councillors, it was fantastic seeing first-hand how they could help ensure residents voices were heard and now that I’m retired, I thought, why not?

“I’ve always loved this area and often visited the beach when out walking and have a real passion for helping out in the community and especially supporting young people, so I can’t wait to get involved in even more projects and see what we can achieve.”