It is always an arresting sight - the motorist racing the tide over the causeway to get to Holy Island in Northumberland.
But do these drivers break any laws - and other questions about the incidents that happen every summer answered.
First things first, do the drivers break any law by driving across the causeway despite much of it being already under water?
While in the court of common sense the drivers can offer no defence, they are guilty of nothing in a criminal court it seems.
Well, they do say the law is ‘an ass’.
A very soggy ass in this case. The courts deal with and punish criminals - not idiots.
Say they hadn’t made it. Are there any financial consequences whatsoever for being rescued on the causeway?
It seems not. Drivers cannot be fined because they have been rescued by the emergency services.
Even though these rescues don’t come cheap?
It can cost taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds each year to rescue motorists who attempt to beat the tide. Figures from the Ministry of Defence show a sea rescue costs approximately £1,900, while an air rescue by the RAF costs more than £4,000. But no cost to the person rescued, apparently.
There’s been suggestion about drivers who race the tide but fail and have to abandon their vehicles in the sea being done for something slightly off beam, like ‘fly tipping’. Could that happen?
Nice idea. Section 38 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations requires a permit for the disposal of waste which some have speculated an abandoned car could become, if the authorities were feeling vindictive enough. Obviously drivers haven’t got a permit. However as the intention wasn’t to discard the waste - ie the car - it’s a no goer.
So no deterrent in the courts for these incidents to stop. Can anything practical be done?
There was talk once of installing automatic barriers to stop drivers using the Holy Island causeway when the tide is in.
Like a train crossing, I suppose. Has anything come of that?
Islanders weren’t impressed. They said it would disrupt their daily lives, ran the risk of weather-related failure and caused potential problems in emergency situations. In 2011 a 148 name petition was handed into Northumberland County Council against the suggestion.
Why not just build a bridge, after all the region is famous for its bridges?
Apparently a few years back just such a job was costed. An all-weather traffic bridge from the mainland to Holy Island would cost an estimated £60m. And I suspect there isn’t a prayer of the local authorities getting that amount of cash.
