Concern over loss of sand from beaches

The campaign against the extraction of gravel from the Helwick sands has united conservationists, tourist operators and farmers who say many formerly sandy beaches - in particular those of Gower are now down to bare rock and peat.

Protest co-ordinator Mike Jenkins says the work is also threatening marine life on the banks.

"They are stripping away a marine wonderland really that should be reserved as a national park," he said.

But representatives of the Llanelli dredging company say that building aggregate is desperately needed for construction projects and jobs would be lost if further extraction is banned.

Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black said the removal of 80m tonnes of sand from the channel had led to the "destruction" of beaches at Porthcawl and the Gower.

The AM for South Wales West said he would like to see a moratorium on all further applications for dredging operations.

Peter Black: Moratorium call

He said analysis was needed of all the available scientific data to discover the impact on beaches.

"The size of this petition shows the strength of public feeling on the issue," he said.

"The issue is unique in attracting cross-party support for something to be done."

Mr Black has called for the Assembly to commission its own urgent research together with studies into the impact of global warming and tidal barrages, such as Cardiff Bay.

"It is no good being told in a few years that the research has supported the fears of residents only for the sand to have been removed in the meantime."