A local mother has warned that some of Jersey’s most cherished beaches are effectively off-limits to islanders with mobility difficulties, as she called for urgent improvements to access.
Jackie Wellum, who has two adult sons with severe mobility issues, said the family’s repeated struggles to reach the beach highlight a wider failure to provide safe, dignified access for disabled people, older islanders and anyone with limited balance or strength.
Mrs Wellum is campaigning for changes in St Ouen’s Bay after years of difficulty navigating the terrain with her sons, Bear, 35, and 28-year-old Ollie, both of whom live with a progressive disorder that affects their balance and ability to walk.
“Both of our sons have severe mobility issues, mainly with their balance and walking,” she told Express. “They will both likely be wheelchair-bound by the time they are 40 or 45.”
She stressed the importance of maintaining their independence for as long as possible.
“We feel it is important to keep them walking and moving as much as possible, as it will help to keep their mobility for longer,” explained Mrs Wellum.
The beach, she said, has always been a “big part” of the family’s life with many childhood days spent boogie boarding in St Ouen’s Bay.
Mrs Wellum explained that her younger son Ollie had progressed to stand-up surfing, but struggles to enjoy the sport due to difficulties getting onto the beach.
She said the cobbled slip at La Braye presents a serious risk.
“He finds it very uncomfortable and almost impossible, walking on the cobbles of the slip to get down onto the beach and cannot walk on the flat edge as his balance would likely make him fall off the wall,” she explained.
While Ollie can sometimes reach the beach using a specialist mobility wheelchair when accompanied by Healing Waves, his mother said this option is not always available.
“It’s not always viable or accessible for us as a family, which means our trips to the beach are limited,” she said.
Her other son, Bear, enjoys walking and swimming and although the family regularly walks along the bay, she said the step access is “awful”.
“There are no railings for him to hold at the bottom 10 or more steps,” she said.
Despite being supported on either side, Bear “has to go on all fours like a dog to get up and down the steps where there is no railing”.
Mrs Wellum said the problems extend far beyond her own family.
“There are very few spaces in St Ouen’s Bay where people with limited mobility can access the beach safely,” she said. “Even older people who use a walking stick will struggle with the steps and the slip.”
Mrs Wellum added: “It is important for everyone to be able to enjoy the beach. Being out in nature and on the sands is good for one’s wellbeing.”
She suggested some simple solutions that could benefit beachgoers.
“A lovely smooth and level surface is all that is required here to make a major benefit to wheelchair users and beachgoers alike,” she said.
I can’t think of another place on the island more perfect than this long stretch of walkway with a beautiful view and fresh air, for someone in a wheelchair to be taken for a walk.”
St Brelade Deputy Helen Miles said: “I totally share the frustration around the slip at Le Braye.
“I walk there everyday with my dogs and speak regularly to Healing Waves about appropriate access for their clients and beach ability also have some difficulties with specific clients.”
She said she had followed up with the Infrastructure Department, but acknowledged that it is a “really tricky situation due to the level of alteration needed and the cost”.
“There is also a planning element as the slip is a listed structure,” added Deputy Miles.
“Anything temporary would not last due to the wave climate and something permanent would be prohibitively costly.
“I am not a coastal engineer in any shape, way or form but even a repair of the cobbles with some grout would make the surface a bit smoother.
“The last I heard was that the Coastal Team were going to do an appraisal of the options and come up with a likely cost and a summary document of the issues.”
Responding to queries from Express, Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said: “Infrastructure officers have engaged on this issue and considered options which would improve accessibility at Le Braye.
“Unfortunately, there are challenges in this respect, including that the slipway and other structures at Le Braye are listed, which makes it difficult to implement alterations that would improve accessibility.
“We are happy to continue engaging and to work together in order to try and make improvements where possible, noting the aforementioned challenges.”