Update on the Sand Tramway - Bude Harbour

To the north of the sea-lock are the remains of the sand tramway tracks, which rise up from the beach, on a ramp, towards the canal. This carried horse pulled trucks from the beach up to the Lower Wharf where the end-tipping trucks would pour the sand into tub-boats. Lengths of the tramway survive, with one section forming an access route to the crossing onto Summerleaze Beach to the north of the harbour.

Unfortunately, this 200-year old feature has experienced erosion that has caused scouring against the embankment wall which is deemed to be causing a trip hazard. Additionally, the scouring has begun to undermine the embankment wall, and some of the blockwork masonry has become loose, falling away from the face of the embankment onto the sand tramway.

Cornwall Council has been investigating a solution and made various proposals in consultation with heritage planning officers. Given the heritage significance of the feature it is important that there is an agreement on the eventual solution, which we intend to be long-term, and easily maintainable.

In lieu of an approved design solution, Cornwall Council has taken the decision to close the sand tramway to public access for health and safety reasons. It is expected that this will be a temporary measure, and that the tramway will be reopened again once the necessary repairs have been made.

The steps from the embankment to the crossing for Summerleaze Beach will remain open as an alternative route. We recognise that the steps do not provide as equal access as the tramway and are working to secure the reopening of the tramway as soon as possible.

Image showing the trip-hazard that has developed at the side of the historic sand tramway, Bude Harbour.