Why a popular beach has to shut in February

A tourist destination is due to shut for most of the half term week because the sand needs to be levelled out.

Weymouth beach is closing because the sand is moved around in seasonal storms, the town council said.

There will be no access to the public from Monday 16 to Friday 20 February, between the Pavilion Theatre end up to the Jubilee Clock.

People have taken to social media to say they do not think the timing of the closure of the beach is appropriate.

The beach will remain closed overnight, with barriers blocking its exit and entry points.

The town council said the reason the works were being carried out now was to coincide with the spring tide.

During this time, more of the beach is exposed, which allows the team to get the diggers further on to the beach area.

The closure will allow for the work to be carried out safely, and to protect the public whilst heavy machinery is in operation, the council said.

This is not unusual for the seaside resort as the works are carried out in February most years.

In a post on the Weymouth Town Council Facebook page explaining why the beach was to shut, some people commented about how unhappy they were at the timing.

"But why do it at school half term its crazy," one person wrote.

Another said: "Half term and many children be disappointed. Bad planning."

One mum said: "They can do it this time of year but why a week when the kids are off school if you have an outdoorsy kid like mine or an outdoorsy family a stroll along Weymouth beach hits it!"