A CORONER'S calls for gates to be erected on the slipway of a popular seaside holiday village, after two women were swept to their deaths in heavy seas, have been rejected following a top level investigation.

Michael Oakley, the North Yorkshire East Coroner, had asked for a study to be made after Paige Richardson and Annette Kinnear, both aged 36 and from Otley, were drowned at a Bonfire Night party last November 5 at the beauty spot fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay. He had been told at the inquest that the women had gone to the slipway to let off fireworks on a night when the historic village was lashed by storms and heavy seas.

Following Mr Oakley's call, a site meeting took place between county council highway engineers, parish councillors and representatives of Scarborough Borough Council, coastguards and the North York Moors National Park Authority.

Coun Patrick Holdsworth said: "We made an assessment and it was found that gates would not be feasible, but that alternatives to the existing lifebelts should be looked at."

"There are no practical ways of having either gates or the slipway manned because it is an ancient public right of way.

"There are already large noticeboards warning people about the dangers of the sea.

"Going on to the slipway in such stormy conditions is a similar situation to walking across a busy motorway - you just don't do it."

Coun Holdsworth said that while local fishermen and residents living in Robin Hood's Bay warned visitors of the dangers of going on to the slipway and beach in heavy seas, they were often subjected to abuse.

"As a result, some are now reluctant to give their advice, which was given with the best of intentions."