The boardwalk, developed by the Waveney Disability Forum working closely with East Suffolk Council, provides year-round access on to the beach for people with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users, as well as people with pushchairs.

Constructed by Beccles-based contractors Foxwood Building Services, the boardwalk was completed ahead of the recent First Light Festival and was officially opened on Friday 24 June, when representatives from the Waveney Disability Forum, East Suffolk Council and Foxwood Building Services attended a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Cllr Craig Rivett, East Suffolk’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Economic Development said: “This is a fantastic facility and enables even more people to enjoy our beautiful beach. We have already heard from people who have been able to get onto the beach for the first time in years, which is wonderful news. The boardwalk is just one of the many projects which is helping to transform our seafront, and we are already working on other facilities which will improve accessibility in the area.”

East Suffolk Councillor Frank Mortimer, on behalf of Waveney Disability Forum said: “About fourteen years ago whilst enjoying the sunshine at our beach hut, my wife and I watched disabled people and parents with young children in pushchairs trying to access our lovely South Beach, so I decided as a councillor to take this issue to the then Waveney District Council Cabinet to seek support and funding to have access to the beach built. I then took the idea to Waveney Disability Forum to discuss and establish their needs but unfortunately funding was not available for this project at the time. However, more recently funding was identified and so the dream of having access to our beach for disabled people and parents with young children became a reality, enabling them to enjoy the beach the same as we all can. We will also continue to look at other ways we can further enhance the project. 

“I would like to thank the whole team at East Suffolk Council for all their hard and dedicated work in bringing the boardwalk to the stage of completion, and on behalf of myself, Andrew Provan and the Waveney Disability Forum, I would like to thank everybody who has been involved in the boardwalk project.”

Located near to public toilets, the beach access ramp and the Claremont car park, the boardwalk is approximately 1.5m wide and 54m from the lower promenade. At the end is a wider space approximately 6m by 8m, which can be used for group events and classes. 

In addition to the boardwalk, 10 of the new Eastern Edge beach huts have been designed with accessibility in mind. These are located on Eastern Edge’s lower tier and are accessed directly from the promenade. Some of these huts can be linked together, by arrangement, for those needing a larger accessible space. These are also ideal for hire by community groups, schools, for team activities or corporate use. 

For more details, please contact Lowestoft Beach Office by emailing [email protected] or calling 01502 586167.

The Beach Office can also help with enquiries regarding the free hire of a beach wheelchair - advance booking required. 

Pictured (Left to Right): Cllr Frank Mortimer, Cllr Trish Mortimer and Cllr Craig Rivett