Council staff trying to stop people flooding to a closed breach were verbally abused today.
Car access to Durdle Door in Dorset was shut off and road blocks put in place after four people were injured, three seriously, after they jumped from cliffs into the sea yesterday.
Dorset Council pleaded with visitors not to come to the area, but despite putting up barriers to an access road in the neighbouring coastal village of West Bexington people have been pictured parking up and walking miles to get to the beach.
Motorists approaching the barriers were turned away and lashed out on staff who were doing their job.
The council tweeted: "We have no authority to close the car parks or the beaches as they're privately owned by the Lulworth Estate.
"People ignored our road closures and verbally abused our staff who were asking them to turn around. Sad times."
Shocked locals filmed the scenes enroute to Durdle Door today, as lines of cars snaked their way along an access route to the popular sun-trap.
Twitter user Pash Stratton posted a video of the scenes today after the council had announced it would be turning away people trying to attempt the beach.
His footage captured lines of cars parked along roadsides as beachgoers piled up.
He wrote: "So this is #DurdleDoor right now. Something really needs to be done. There is not a mask in sight or a care in the world. @BorisJohnson, this lockdown needs to tighten."
The Dorset Echo reported that the beach area carpark landowner Lulworth Estates said the parking space was open and full.
James Weld, on behalf of Lulworth Estates, told the local news site the situation as "chaos" and the parking operator felt they had little choice.
"We have decided that the car parks should be opened today as the public will still travel to the coast and if we do not provide parking they will park anywhere they can, returning to the chaos that ensued immediately following the relaxation of restrictions on May 13.
"This is proving to be the case with our staff reporting that the main car parks are already full."
Seaside towns across England have been swamped by visitors after the government said people could drive as far as they want.
Dorset Council’s Corporate Director and duty Gold Command Officer Jonathan Mair said: “It is vital that everyone continues to act responsibly.
"This weekend, with continued good weather, the number of visitors to the county has increased significantly.
"This is putting pressure on local beauty spots and beaches and we are seeing people not able to social distance properly.
“Unfortunately a number of people are parking inconsiderately and sometimes dangerously.
"We have taken measures to close a number of roads in the county today for safety reasons.
“If an area is busy, please head home and don’t add to the crowds. Our priority is to protect residents and visitors health and wellbeing and for them to stay safe.”
