D-Day structures on Lepe beach inaccessible for anniversary

The former embarkation point between Lepe and Calshot has been cut off since part of the beach was washed away during a ferocious storm in April.

D-Day commemorations at Lepe Country Park are still due to take place on June 6.

But people attending the events, including any veterans, will be unable to visit the site from which thousands of troops embarked on the liberation of Europe in 1944.

D-Day structures between Lepe and Calshot will still be cordoned off on the 80th anniversary of the landings (Image: Newsquest)

Hampshire County Council, which owns the park, has confirmed that the D-Day remains will still be inaccessible on the anniversary.

They include concrete blocks that enabled vehicles to be loaded on to landing craft, the base of a water tower, and dolphins - the remains of a pier where the landing craft were moored.

READ MORE: D-Day veteran, 100, returns to New Forest beach from where he helped liberate Europe in 1944

The county council has carried out a beach safety assessment along with the Cadland Estate, which owns the damaged section of beach.

A council spokesperson told the Daily Echo: "During stormy weather in early April, a large section of material was washed into the sea.

D-Day structures at Lepe include the base of a water tower that kept military personnel supplied with fresh water (Image: Newsquest)

“This also exposed parts of the historical structure that had previously been hidden from view.

“Our initial checks suggests that the dolphins and a memorial appear to be in the same condition as they were before this incident.

READ MORE: D-Day veteran from the New Forest takes to the skies to celebrate his 100th birthday

"Commemorative events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Lepe in early June will go ahead as planned on the cliff top.

"Regrettably, we do not expect the area of the beach that is currently cordoned off to be open by this time due to the scale of work required.”

D-Day structures at Lepe have been cordoned off after part of the foreshore was washed into the sea (Image: Newsquest)

Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East, said: "With the 80th anniversary of D-Day approaching, reopening should be a priority."

Last month, the memorial was visited by D-Day veteran Cecil Newton, 100, who was a member of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards.

He went ashore in a Sherman Duplex Drive (DD) tank, an amphibious craft equipped with a propeller that enabled it to travel across water.

During his visit Mr Newton read out the names of 100 comrades killed during the invasion. He also laid a wreath at the memorial after abandoning his wheelchair and managing a few steps with the aid of his walker.

He and his comrades saw action on Gold Beach, one of the five landing areas.

Their objectives were to secure a beachhead, establish contact with the US soldiers at Omaha Beach, and link up with the Canadian forces to the east.