Minister: Railway Trail Lease Will Not Be Renewed
“At midnight tonight – 31 May 2019 – at the expiry of the current Railway Trail lease – it will not be renewed and thus from tomorrow – visitors and locals alike will regain unfettered access to that portion of the Trail that has been denied for the last 21 years,” Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch said.
Speaking in the House of Assembly today [May 31] Minister Burch said, “I rise this morning to report on developments surrounding a portion of the Railway Trail and Gibbet Island Beach – more commonly referred to as Police Beach located in Smith’s parish at the Flatts Inlet.
“A portion of the Railway Trail was leased to a private Trust in June 1998 for 21 years to 31 May, 2019 to provide access to privately owned land off the Railway Trail. Mr. Speaker, the grant of this lease effectively blocked access to that entire portion of the Railway Trail to the general public – who cannot access it without traversing land that is now privately held.
“Mr. Speaker, from our research – the name ‘Police Beach’ is derived from a 1977 agreement between the Bermuda Police Force [as it was then known] and the private landowner to allow policemen almost exclusive access to the beach. In practical terms – that meant white policemen only. That agreement formally ended in 1992.
“At midnight tonight – 31 May 2019 – at the expiry of the current Railway Trail lease – it will not be renewed and thus from tomorrow – visitors and locals alike will regain unfettered access to that portion of the Trail that has been denied for the last 21 years. The former lease holder – like any other member of the public will still be able to access their property from the Trail.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Good Morning Mr. Speaker.
I rise this morning to report on developments surrounding a portion of the Railway Trail and Gibbet Island Beach – more commonly referred to as Police Beach located in Smith’s parish at the Flatts Inlet.
A portion of the Railway Trail was leased to a private Trust in June 1998 for 21 years to 31 May, 2019 to provide access to privately owned land off the Railway Trail. Mr. Speaker, the grant of this lease effectively blocked access to that entire portion of the Railway Trail to the general public – who cannot access it without traversing land that is now privately held.
Mr. Speaker, Gibbet is a beautiful island off the Railway Trail that now belongs to a private trust. The beach, although not accessible to the general public by land, one can see its wonderful tiny beaches from the North Shore Road.
Gibbet Island also is unfortunately known as the “Gallows Island” due to its dark history. There, in the 1600s and early 1700s executions were held in full public view. That was a time when slavery was highly prevalent in Bermuda. A pole still seen there is sometimes wrongly identified as being part of the gallows. It is actually an earlier version of a navigation light for passing ships.
One of the more prominent executions held there was in 1681 when a slave named Indian John from New England was executed. He apparently tried to escape, lit the owner’s house on fire and wanted to kill all members of his family. After his execution, his body was left hanging from the gallows for days after. Such a gruesome practice of a public display of executed bodies was meant to serve as a warning to other slaves who contemplated rebelling or escaping.
Mr. Speaker, from our research – the name “Police Beach” is derived from a 1977 agreement between the Bermuda Police Force [as it was then known] and the private landowner to allow policemen almost exclusive access to the beach. In practical terms – that meant white policemen only. That agreement formally ended in 1992.
Mr. Speaker, Gibbet Island is now part of the African Diaspora Heritage Trail and bears the dark historical marks of slavery in these islands. The Railway Trail in Smith’s Parish passes through this area and into the Flatts Inlet. There used to be a railway bridge there that the train used to reach Shelly Bay and beyond – plans are afoot to replace it.
Mr. Speaker, with that background of both the Trail and the Beach I have decided to take a number of actions.
At midnight tonight – 31 May 2019 – at the expiry of the current Railway Trail lease – it will not be renewed and thus from tomorrow – visitors and locals alike will regain unfettered access to that portion of the Trail that has been denied for the last 21 years. The former lease holder – like any other member of the public will still be able to access their property from the Trail.
With regard to the beach Mr. Speaker, the railway Trail currently dissects the land that people refer to as Police Beach – that land, on either side is still under private ownership. While the beach is public from the high water mark – it is important that land access for the general public is provided. Presently the beach cannot be accessed from the railway trail without traversing private land – permission for which in recent times has been denied.
Mr. Speaker, in the first instance – the Ministry will begin discussions with the current owners of land to the North Eastern side of the railway trail to gauge their interest in selling it. Should that route be unsuccessful – the Government will pursue ownership under the terms of the Acquisition of Land Act 1970, specifically the provisions for compulsory purchase contained therein.
Mr. Speaker, it is important to acknowledge our past – all of it – but when the opportunity arises – even in a very small way – to take steps to correct past injustices – we must.
It is never too late to do the right thing and I believe we are doing so in this case.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Great to hear that those beaches are now effectively public beaches, great for locals and visitors alike.
Well it’s one beach out of several, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. And it looks like Burch is citing historical reasons for getting public access.
Does that mean they’re looking to erect signage or a monument in accordance with the Diaspora Trail?
That beach has never been “denied” to the public. This is just Burch posturing. Hey Min Burch…what’s the latest on the $24 million not being spent at your money pit Grand Atlantic???
Well if you think its so great lets hope the Government comes from your private property next…
Yes ‘Double S’ the already did that down Tucker’s Town… Let me guess, you were protesting on the hill for an inquiry to be done?
And if it was wrong then, then it is wrong now. There is no reason for this private land to be taken away by the government. Have they broken any laws? What will prevent them from going after other private property? Very slippery slope decision.
Reparations !
I’m sure you wouldn’t think it was so great if became and stole your private property for no legitimate reason.
This government and their cheerleader supporters are getting truly scary.
First of all he is lying. That beach has been made accessible to all a few times over the years. However, the members of public that were given access abused it and often left their trash, broken tents, grills and beer bottles laying around for the leaseholders / owners to clean up. Probably by the same ignorant persons that paint on the roads and on tress during May 24 and Cupmatch to mark their camping spots. It was the ABUSE of the land that caused it to be cut off several times.
Now that Parks will be in charge of cleaning it up, we will see what happens. They don’t even care enough about cleaning up the area where there offices are – the Botanical Gardens. Its a disgrace and if they don’t care about their home, hat chance do the other parks have.
well we need as much activity for our visitors as possible because they are our income
Dangerous precedent by the Scowler in Chief. Getting even.
Cue dozens of comments from people who have not one iota of knowledge what is going on here confusing ‘railway trail’ with ‘beach’ and what is private property with gov’t property .
So in essence, still cannot go on the beach…just walk by it. Look at the “Private Property” sign
I think it would help immensely if someone put up a map showing the railway trail (Gov’t property) in relation to the island itself. If I’m not mistaken the island is private and the beach is on the island so it too is private. End of argument ! However the law states that below the high tide mark is open to all and in this case that means that you can’t access it by going over the ‘private land’ of the island but you can legally get to it by boat or swimming to it. But the only strip the public is entitled to use is between the high and low water marks.
Another point that I believe is accurate is that the train (railroad) never touched Gibbett’s Island , it was on a bridge near/over it .
The original owner , now long deceased , was generous enough to let the Police use it as he could have kept it shut to everyone. And for the minister’s information ALL police were able to use it , not just the white ones , but he never misses a chance to anger his support base with racist misinformation.
If you speak to the current owners (descendants of the original) they will tell you of many problems over the years with the place being trashed and abused by the ‘general public’ who would regularly ignore the private property signs and treat it as if it were theirs.
Anyone can go to any beach in Bermuda, as long as you don’t trespass over someone’s land. Therefore, if the now public railway trail does not directly reach the beach, the only way you can arrive on the beach is by boat, just like any other public beach in Bermuda.
Yes you can. There has always been access to the beach.
Thanks for bringing up the past and justifying seizing private property. Where are the bridges that you spent a pile of our money on?
The bridges are payed for by private donations not government.
Was talking about Longbird and Swing bridges along with his other duties that he seems to forget.
Ah yes those ones.
Them people in that area must be pissed!
Um, the railway trail itself was a compulsory purchase from the orginal landowners. It is not cool that Col is throwing around threats like this.
“In practical terms – that meant white policemen only”
That is not true
Been going to that beach for 25 years having a great time Its a great place for all to racial makeups to mingle. Thanks Burch for the reminder to hate
the commies did this as well just take your land, and on so private land is on his agenda
I have seen blacks and whites and others on this beach for many years,
Burch and the plp are just trying to play the race card to blow smoke up the party leemings rear end.
Good
Why is Burch claiming it was for “white policemen only”? Is he trying to incite hatred? The usual PLP technique.
Ya, just what de people need right now when they have less money in their pockets as a result of your Pee El Pee gov’t!! Hahahahaha!! Titty milk being served down there too?! Vat about de chicken farm?!
Probably wants to drive his ATV’s to the beach. Too lazy to walk.
Hate hate hate thats it
There were no black policeman in 1977 Or is this another PLP attempt to rewrite history?
It’s sad that we are going to purchase this land when this money would have been better used to purchase a bus
Or fix up a school. This is a dangerous precedent. It’s about “getting even”.
This is the first time that I have actually agreed with Burch. The Railway Trail belongs to all of us. No one should be allowed to block it off. And as for the little piece of property he is trying to purchase, it’s practically useless for anything other than walking over it to get to the beach. It’s more of an eye sore than anything else. The owners haven’t done anything with it in at least the past 35 years! I hope they can come to a mutual agreement and make the deal on good terms. And to be honest, I didn’t see his speech as bringing up the past. I enjoyed the history lesson. Some of that stuff I knew, but some of it was new information for me. There’s nothing wrong with learning true history. Burch didn’t say anything offensive this time. And for the record, I am a white guy.
Minister Burch didn’t say anything offensive? Threatening to expropriate private property if the owners won’t sell at his price isn’t offensive?
Can only exercise Government rights based on a real case! The going price is going to be huge!
Why did Burch say it has been for “white policemen only”? That’s inoffensive and accurate is it?
The railway trail is not blocked off. Black policeman were not denied usage of the beach in the 70s. The beach has always been accessible to the public. Burch is misleading the public with his comments and stirring up divisiveness.
Let us look at tax dollars…let us look at how Mp entitle themselves to our tax dollar.
I do not believe it one bit .
I use that beach and see people of all colours,Burch is just pandering to his blind followers.
Another distraction from out REAL issues
Exactly.
He never mind all that go fix a school tackle
A real issue FFS
Not divide and distract
Bermuda is a divided country . Things are so bad that one half of us can happily do without the other half . And yet still we all call ourselves Bermudians . (smile ). In 1985 the People’s Movement protested on this beach . There are too many places on this little island where many Bermudians cannot go . That has to change , and the government must take the lead in making it happen .I question why is there a continuous move within Bermuda to keep the two races apart ? Dislike me because of my politics ,not my black skin . Yet we must remember that Bermuda is a dual society . We build , defend , and tear down all on the basis of race .Whether it’s the beach, schools , buses , politics , education , prisons , police , banks , fintech ,etc, etc, all our discussions evolve around race . Can we row together as one people , or perish alone as a separated country ?
It’s politically expedient for the PLP to sow racial disharmony. It’s actually the only toll they have because they equipped with talent. It’s helpful that they have some angry old duffers like Burch, Burgess and Furbert that they can wheel out to stir up the hate when they need it.
To Unite Bermuda it will take a Natural disaster of the highest equalizing caliber. or it will take WAR like external forces invading or threatening us and our children.
Many “false” Bermudians will leave but the real ones of many different backgrounds will stay and unite to protect their Island and culture.
There maybe other ways to unite the island but I can not think of them right now.
*There are too many places on this little island where many Bermudians cannot go *
That’s true , does it have anything to do with it being private property maybe ?
Can I go and party on your lawn or in your pool (if you have one) whenever I want to just because it’s in Bermuda and I’m Bermudian ?
So what difference is it if it’s a beach on someone elses ‘private’ property ?
*I question why is there a continuous move within Bermuda to keep the two races apart ?*
And who’s the people responsible for doing that now , eh ?
In your heart of hearts you probably know the answer to that but do you have the courage to admit it ?
Rodney, I do not dislike you but I do disagree with you.
Is the PLP going to expropriate all property that leads to the sea or just some of that property? Is it only beaches that will lead to the expropriation of land or mangrove bays too? Will the expropriations be limited to Bermudians (as in this case) or ex pats too?
Once we start down this road we will look like Zimbabwe did 20 years ago.
The story is a bit concerning but what is worse is the justification.
As Bermudians we are accustomed to the political cut and thrust but imagine what readers that don’t live in BERMUDA and who read these articles and then the blogs must think of us.
Hate is alive and I feel sorry for the Colonel if is daily life is consumed with thoughts that motivate such atrocious language and justification.
BERMUDA. We are better than this and let’s not forget it.
This thought process does not represent us all.
Please GVT stop the division.
Sadly MP Burch (and others) think that this is what people want to hear. It is typical behavior of the plp to start these debates when they are faced with problems on other fronts such as education, transport, Arbitrade etc. This is what they think of the voting public. They do not put out fires they start new ones to distract. Without constant race baiting what platform would they have? They have not had one success story in their entire 16-17 years of of governing. He means for this to be provocative
Well spoken , because he knows that he has to keep the fires of hate burning and that’s how we got 25-11 . And those hateful fires , based mostly on lies because too many people are poorly informed , will be kept well stoked all the way through to the next election.