Health and safety ‘killjoys’ blamed as Dorset council scraps popular beach rafts after 87 years
Weymouth Town Council has permanently removed two popular beach swimming rafts after 87 years due to health and safety concerns. Legal advice warned of significant public risk and potential criminal liability, prompting the decision despite public opposition. The rafts, used by generations of swimmers, will not return this summer. Critics blame excessive regulations and say the move undermines personal responsibility.
- ▪The swimming rafts off Weymouth beach, in place since 1939, have been scrapped due to health and safety risks identified by legal consultants.
- ▪The RNLI raised concerns that the rafts were outside lifeguards' primary response area, increasing danger to swimmers.
- ▪A council report concluded that no viable mitigation measures or insurance coverage exist to safely reinstate the rafts.
- ▪Local swimmers and residents have expressed anger, citing the rafts' long accident-free history and calling the decision an overreaction.
- ▪The removal follows the earlier withdrawal of pedalos, also attributed to safety rules and economic pressures.
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NewsUKHome NewsHealth and safety ‘killjoys’ blamed as Dorset council scraps popular beach rafts after 87 yearsThe platforms have been used by generations of swimmersJames Podesta Tuesday 28 April 2026 11:17 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2966289","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/weymouth-beach-rafts-removed-dorset-b2966289.html","title":"Health and safety ‘killjoys’ blamed as Weymouth scraps beach rafts after 87 years"}}Related: Dolphins play with Weymouth lifeboat crewYour support helps us to tell the…
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