JET skis will be allowed at a popular beach amid concerns about the safety of swimmers.

Rother District Council’s cabinet has agreed the temporary use of a boat lane at Herbrand Walk near Cooden Beach, Bexhill, as a launch and recovery area for jet skis.

By-laws had prevented this from happening previously.

But despite signs and council coastal officers telling them not to use the site, jet skiers continued to use the beach.

Coastal officers said they were unable to take enforcement action without police support.

As a result, the council took legal advice and was told it should designate a new site within the district for jet skiers to launch from.

If not, it would run the risk of being found liable if a swimmer was injured.

This legal advice was received shortly before the August bank holiday weekend, leading the council to designate the site immediately.

Council leader Carl Maynard said: “This is a difficult matter but I think members have grasped the fundamental nettle here.

“This is about beach safety for swimmers, not about making it attractive for jet ski users.

“I think that is the view of many members here.

However the move drew criticism from several cabinet members, including Darwell councillor Eleanor Kirby-Green. 

She said: “Reading this report, it seems to me that because we can’t police it then the people who break the rules and do it at the moment are going to get their own way by us saying: ‘OK you can do it’.

“That doesn’t sit comfortably with me.”

Criticism was also raised by Bexhill Sackville councillor Ian Hollidge, who highlighted his

concerns about the safety of other beach users and described jet skiers as “reckless”.

He said: “We want to encourage visitors to the area and we want to encourage them to be environmentally friendly.

“Use the wind-surfing, use the kayaking and canoeing and all other beach-related activities.

“It is the wrong place to try and encourage this.

“We are trying to create a marine conservation zone in that area and the petrol and oil from a two-stroke engine is likely to cause pollution.”

Cllr Hollidge also raised concerns about the noise of jet ski engines, saying he expected it  would disturb the owners of the recently-sold beach huts near Galley Hill.

Councillor Martin Kenward suggested endorsing the designation of Herbrand Walk only as a temporary measure until further study and consultation work can take place.  

This was agreed.