Photographs show more than nine motorhomes and other vehicles parked at Newhaven’s West Beach car park. West Beach was first shut in 2006 over concerns about the condition of the sea wall, briefly reopened in 2007, then closed again in 2008. Vehicles near the closed Newhaven West Beach (Image: EDDIE MITCHELL)The French-owned Newhaven Port and Properties has repeatedly cited high seas, crumbling chalk cliffs, port activity and the cost of remedial works as reasons for keeping the gates locked. Signage on the fence to the beach (Image: EDDIE MITCHELL)Tensions boiled over on June 21, when Sussex Police confirmed receiving multiple reports of padlocks being broken to allow access to restricted sections of the beach. Last month, Lewes MP James MacCleary and the owners of Newhaven Port issued a joint appeal to the public not to break into the beach.