Lifeguard extension for Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth?

Plans to spend £60,000 over five years

Some of South Devon’s most popular holiday beaches will have RNLI lifeguards for the next five years if councillors decide to spend more than £60,000 on the service.

Members of Teignbridge Council are being recommended to renew a contract with the charity to cover Teignmouth and Dawlish Warren beaches.

The council’s executive committee meets this week to discuss the lifeguard patrols.

The RNLI has provided a service on the two beaches for 15 years and has been involved in numerous rescues. They also provide first aid.

Having lifeguards is one of the elements that contributes to Dawlish Warren being a Blue Flag beach.

The council’s executive member for sport, recreation and resorts, Cllr John Nutley (Lib Dem, Ashburton and Buckfastleigh) said: “This an important service to people using these beaches and we are grateful that over the past 15 years the RNLI have not only provided the service but also contributed to its cost.

“Many people have benefited from the presence of RNLI lifeguards and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to making these beaches safer for both residents and visitors.”

Teigjnbridge shares the cost of providing the service with the RNLI charity. By the end of the new five-year contract the council will be paying 78 per cent of the cost, up from the current level of 65 per cent.

The cost is currently just over £50,000 a year, and the council will also spend £7,840 on two containers in Teignmouth to house the kit required for the lifeguard service. Parking permits to the value of £5,000 are also part of the arrangement.

The current store at the Den is being demolished as part of a revamp of Teignmouth’s public toilets.