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Beach signs to go: Govt.

Negotiations are currently going on between Elbow Beach Hotel management and senior planning department officials, in a bid to solve a dispute over notices declaring part of the beach private.

became involved in the row.

Negotiations are currently going on between Elbow Beach Hotel management and senior planning department officials, in a bid to solve a dispute over notices declaring part of the beach private.

But Environment Minister Harry Soares has warned he could order the signs, which do not have planning permission, to be taken down if talks do not resolve the issue.

He said: "We are in the final stages of discussions with Elbow Beach and we expect an amicable solution.

"However, if we are unable to achieve that I will issue a stop order to take them down.

"I am very very optimistic we will be able to reach a solution that is acceptable to all. If that fails I will look at the law and take advice on what the next step would be. I will take whatever action is necessary.'' Elbow Beach Hotel say the signs -- which inform the public that the beach is private and for the use of guests only -- are necessary to keep visitors away from their facilities.

Manager Bill Shoaf blamed outdated information given to tourists, which stated incorrectly the hotel offered rental and other facilities to beach users.

Up until last year the hotel offered such services but has now decided to concentrate on its own guests.

But he agreed it was not clear to people where they could wander, since legally Elbow Beach was designated public up to the high water mark -- which is around 50 feet from the steps to the beach.

The row blew up on Wednesday night when Warwick West MP Quinton Edness warned the hotel was running into a storm by leaving the signs up.

The Government Whip said there was no need for the signs and called for legislation to open up other beaches that had been designated private.

Beach signs to go, Govt. says a National Liberal Party candidate in the forthcoming election, has entered the row.

He had complained to the planning department early this year and said he was going to raise the matter with the Attorney General.

"I will fight to have them removed,'' he said. "I thought it was very "un-Bermudian'' of them (Elbow Beach Hotel), how they erected those signs.

"They are placed right in the middle of the beach, the wording is ambiguous -- somebody who respects the law will look at that sign and say `I am not welcome'.'' He agreed with Bill Shoaf that misinformation given to visitors had led to the situation but said there was an easier way to keep people from approaching their facilities.

"They could solve the problem by roping off a section for guests only. Their staff could turn people away, instead of putting those signs up.'' But Mr. Outerbridge said there was a need for the Government to take responsibility for beaches that had public access, and provide proper facilities for users.

He said Elbow Beach was in dire need of proper toilets and other services for the hundreds of people that used the beach each day.