Wild swimmer injured on 'beach steps hazard' in Largs

A member of The Delicious Dookers suffered bloodied knees after falling off the steps, sparking further safety concerns at a recent Largs Community Council meeting.

At the meeting, Janice Hawthorne said: "We are here to represent a group of women who use the steps on a daily basis to access the beach.

"Over the last three or four years it has been unsafe. There is no handrail. The bottom step is 14 inches from the surface and people are having to jump down to the beach so that access is unsafe.

The step is too high, say wild swimmers, who say a handrail is required and an additional step  (Image: Newsquest)

"We have around 60 people who use the steps, and people use it every day for walking the dogs and visiting the beach etc."

However, since first flagging the matter earlier this year, the Dookers claim they have not heard back from the local authority over their concerns.

Picture of bloodied knee from fall were handed out at Largs Community Council meeting (Image: Newsquest)

Janice added: "We contacted NAC in February and they did send someone out to look at it- and his exact words were it was 'a bit of a nightmare', and that he would escalate it through the flood prevention team - that was in February and we have not heard another thing.

"The injury that occurred was after we had made the council aware of the danger of the steps."

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch offered to take the matter up with North Ayrshire Council. 

He said: "We need to find out if the flood prevention team have any funding in order to carry out the necessary repairs and given it is a safety issue it is important to find out what the council are going to do about it."

Steps to shore: Campaign for improvements from The Delicious Dookers of Largs (Image: Newsquest)

The News visited the site with Janice, who was also joined by Sharon Smith and Fiona Currie.

Fiona said: "It is too big a drop from the bottom step, and it shouldn't have been designed like that so high up, and needs to be changed."

Sharon added: "The reason we come here is because it is sandy and it is a good area for going in for a dook.

Wild swimming boom but steps are deemed 'unsafe' by users (Image: Newsquest)

"The swimming has many health benefits and has been really good for everybody in Largs."

Janice added: "There is actually a crack developing on the second step down from the promenade as well.

"We always look out for each other when using the steps but it is becoming a danger and we really need something done about it."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “Our Flood Protection team were made aware of the groups concerns earlier this month. They have inspected the steps and are looking at options for improving access, including the possibility of providing a handrail. We will provide further updates in due course.”