Last weekend, Sunday 4 February, angry and frustrated locals took to the Fitties in Humberston to protest amid an ongoing row over access to the park.
According to reports, Tingdene, which runs the holiday park, informed residents and other site users they would not be able to walk on the site between 16:00 and 09:00 when the park is closed in January and February. A number of chalet owners and concerned members of the public have opposed the changes, stating that they had previously been allowed onto the site during those times.
Tingdene confirmed there would be no access to the site when the gates are closed, including for pedestrians, which has prompted concerns from the general public who regularly frequent the area, and are concerned about the loss of access for the public.
Tingdene said: “Humberston Fitties Holiday Park is currently closed from 1st January 2024, re-opening on the 1st March 2024. Access is allowed during the hours of 9am and 4pm, after this time, the entrance gate will be closed. There is no access to the park when the gate is closed, this includes via foot.
“There is a public pathway, which runs through the park to Tetney Marsh and the RSPB area, alternatively you are able to access these areas by walking across the beach footpath. We thank you for cooperation and respecting the conservation of the Park.”
Speaking to Gi Grimsby News, one concerned local explained how they felt the decision had ‘taken away their freedom to roam’.
They said: “Having being able to walk through the Fitties in the past, I’m registered sight impaired so I find it difficult to walk off-road, I can’t understand the reasoning behind this, we’ve always been able to walk along this road.
“I would like someone to explain why this is an issue- the people who would normally walk through here have always loved the Fitties as a place where you take your children, its part of our heritage and history, we’ve been told that we cannot walk through this road anymore- I’m here as a member of the public as I feel my freedom to roam has been taken away from me. “
Another said: “I think that walking is very good for your mental and physical health, its important that I walk everyday, I don’t feel the properties are anymore at risk than any other property, I think it’s important that people do have access to open spaces.
“Excluding people off the site I think will encourage more crime, its affecting peoples basic rights to be able to roam freely, we’ve been walking through this area almost my entire life, I really can’t see what the issue is and why we can’t continue to walk as we were.”
