Mount Batten Beach in Plymouth remains closed, with access restricted to two other areas on the peninsula, after tests in April and July 2026 found asbestos fibres in sand samples. Plymouth City Council stated these levels could pose a risk to health if inhaled, leading to the beach's closure since the summer.
The first discovery of asbestos at the site was in 2019, when 500kg of material containing the toxic substance was removed. In total, over 1.5 tonnes of asbestos-containing material, including both white and blue varieties, has been cleared from the beach and nearby areas.
Residents and experts suggest the material may originate from roofing and construction waste linked to the former RAF Mount Batten base. Coastal erosion is thought to be exposing this buried material. Plymouth's director of public health, Professor Steve Maddern, stated in July that shutting the beach was a last resort, prioritising public safety.
Local MP Rebecca Smith has questioned why the issue has not been resolved more than six years after asbestos was first discovered. A public meeting on the issue saw over 140 attendees, and a petition has been submitted to Parliament calling for urgent action to reopen the beach.