When will Eastbourne’s missing buoys be replaced?

Re: jet skis. I found previous letters on this subject interesting as I have been writing to this paper and to the council on and off for 20 years protesting about the lack of buoys in the sea preventing power craft from endangering bathers.

These protests were usually met with the reply”the funding is not available”.

This was despite the fact that buoys are positioned off most other seaside resorts.

Close to home they are regularly put out at Pevensey and Seaford.

About two years ago Stephen Lloyd came to meet us on the beach, and true to his promise, buoys were obtained and positioned at the level of the end of the pier.

About six buoys were placed each side of the pier.

Most authorities bring the buoys in for the winter and put them back in the spring of each year.

Not Eastbourne.

They were left out in the storms and many disappeared.

I emailed the seafront office pointing out that this might happen, to no avail.

I understand that these buoys with ropes anchors and chains are very expensive.

There are now about five buoys situated west of the pier and none on the east side.

This is ironic because Eastbourne Sea Swimmers were instrumental in encouraging the council to obtain the buoys, and most of the jet skis fly up and down east of the pier.

We swim mostly east of the pier as do many hotel guests in that area.

I would like to know whether the missing buoys will be replaced.

It is only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured.