LULWORTH Estates seems to be passing all the responsibility of devastating a World Heritage site onto ‘hit and run’ day-trippers.

I can’t believe I am the only one who has been shocked at how such a beautiful and vulnerable site has been opened up to the public?

My memories of Durdle Door are of walking along the coastal path and staring down at the beautiful arch and coves. What a delight.

Then, before all the hype, I took a relative for a drive along the coast, telling him what a treat he was in for.

I was surprised when we were able to park on the cliff top in an enormous car park full of cars, camper vans and tour buses. It was a cold, bleak day but the place was packed.

We helped an older couple to get down the steps and asked them why they’d come. They explained that they were part of a tour, a pilgrimage to see the arch that had featured in a famous film they loved.

We sat on the beach for a short time, surrounded by people, some of whom were trying to swim in clearly dangerous waters without any idea of the depth or tides.

Plastic bottles and cans littered the pebbles.

I felt heart-broken that such an amazing beauty spot had been made so easily accessible by car.

I guess there could be an argument to say that more visitors should be able to see these sites, but surely not at the cost of the site itself.

In your article on Saturday, Lulworth Estates say ‘the level of tourism visits is considered sustainable’. Is it really? I would question that.

GILL COLEMAN
Ipswich road, Bournemouth