Michael Stevens, of Lower Contour Road, Kingswear, writes:

I was very concerned to read the headline in last week's Chronicle 'Tons of earth crashes onto Lighthouse beach', so I took advantage of the low spring tide to walk along the foreshore from Yarrow Steps to the beach to see for myself. I found that there has been no fall onto the beach and no 'debris has plummeted within yards of the lighthouse'.

I climbed part of the way up the slope to the stone face at the top to investigate further and found some loose soil which probably came from the roots of the fallen tree.

I suspect the large sycamore tree that came down on the neighbouring property had overgrown the shallow soil overlaying the rock bed and only needed heavy rain or a strong wind to blow it down. Its falling is not an indication of general instability affecting Lighthouse beach.

Those of us who are either in favour or against the reopening of the public right of way to Lighthouse beach must make very sure of our facts.