The West Beach car park could close!

We need your help to save it!

What’s happened?

Last December, Moray Council closed the car park temporarily when part of the car park surface and footpath collapsed. The damaged area has been fenced off with the loss of around 20 car parking spaces. The rest of the car park has reopened. For now.

Why did this happen?

Storm damage, compacted by the effects of coastal erosion and years of under investment, mean that in some areas, the substructure has been eroded away, leaving parts of the surface like a pie crust.

Who is responsible for the car park?

Moray Council have leased the land from a private landowner since the 1940s.

Due to the increasing cost of maintaining the car park and protecting it from further coastal erosion, the council has said they will not renew the lease when it expires in January 2027.

This may result in the permanent closure of the car park.

A small space with a big impact

This land is vital to the economic and social welfare of the town. It’s used by visitors and residents, to access the coast, Moray Golf Club, the watersports club, and the café.

Without it, access to the beach will be severely limited. Our residential streets will be overwhelmed and our businesses will lose out.

We simply can not afford to lose this car park!

What can be done?

The West Beach Car Park Stakeholder Group includes representatives from community groups and local businesses*. We are working together to look into the feasibility of the community taking on the management of the car park, improving the facilities and protecting the area from further damage.

Erosion is winning – Help to fight back

Moray Council estimate investing £750k will provide 10-15 years protection. With no property directly threatened by the damage, they are not willing to make that investment.

We want to find smarter, more cost-effective solutions to keep the facility open now, and into the future.

To do that, we need to know that we have the backing of the community.

You can make a difference

Here’s how you can help –

1 – Have your say

Complete the online survey – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/West_Beach

2 – Get involved

Join the ‘Friends of the West Beach Car Park’ – https://forms.gle/yhTZUvagZ1F1qvia6

Follow the Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/WestBeachCP/

3 – Donate

Donate to the fighting fund –

• Text WESTBEACH to 70470 to donate £5
• PayPal – dto@lossietrust.org
• Justgiving – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/westbeachcarpark

Your donation will be ringfenced for the West Beach Car Park Fighting Fund.

Funds will be used to raise awareness, to pay for signage, surveys and to match fund larger grant applications, such as for repairing the damage and preventing further coastal erosions.

This car park is vital to Lossiemouth.

Help us work together to find a solution to keep it open.

Thank you.

* The West Beach Car Park Stakeholder Group includes representatives from Lossiemouth Community Development Trust, Lossiemouth Community Council, Lossiemouth Business Association, Moray Golf Club, Moray Firth Watersports Association and the Beach Hut Café.