The causeway to the island, also known as Lindisfarne, is only safe to cross at certain times when the tide is out. Outside of these times, which are clearly posted, the road quickly submerges. According to the local authority, “several” cars have already been stranded on the causeway this year. Just last month, families were forced to abandon their vehicles and dial 999 for an emergency rescue after being cut off.
The council say there are “no second chances for those who try to beat the sea”. Coun Guy Renner Thompson, who represents the Bamburgh ward, branded motorists who get stuck despite all the warnings “stupid”.
He said: “I don’t know what else the council can do. It’s not the sort of place you want lots of signs and flashing lights
“People need to check the tide times. The county county does not want to put permanent barriers up because that’s not what the locals on the island or the mainland want.
“I’m the vice chairman of the Northumberland Coast AONB Board, and the council has a legal obligation to keep places like Holy Island as beautiful as they were 100 years ago.”
“While the RNLI are out rescuing stupid people from the causeway, they might end up missing a shout for someone who is in real danger. It’s really important that people aren’t so daft.”
The county council is urging visitors not to turn their staycation into a “holiday from hell”.
Coun Gordon Stewart, Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Safety, said: “Around 10 to 20 vehicles are stranded on the causeway each year, often with holidaymakers watching their cars – and their carefully planned breaks – disappear under the water.
“With more people choosing ‘staycations’ it is crucial for visitors to strictly observe the times because the tide rises rapidly and without warning, turning the causeway from a road to a waterway within a matter of minutes. Each rescue puts not only lives and property at risk but places unnecessary pressure on the RNLI and HM Coastguard, whose teams respond to these fully preventable emergencies.
“The old saying ‘Time and tide wait for no man’ is a truth soon learned the hard way by people who try to outrun the sea.”
Safe crossing times change daily due to the natural flow of the they tides but can be easily checked online or on the digital signs installed onsite, which also display weather alerts and real time safety alerts.
Senior Coastal Operations Officer, Ryan Douglas, HM Coastguard, said: “HM Coastguard encourages members of the public to check tide times before visiting the coast and stick to the safe crossing times on Holy Island Causeway.
“Driving on Holy Island Causeway when its flooded is incredibly dangerous. If you do find yourself in trouble or see someone in distress at the coast dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
