Work to improve public access to a St George’s beach was completed on Bermuda Day after a series of challenges and delays.

The Ministry of Public Works and Environment formally opened new stairs leading to Achilles Bay on Friday.

Jaché Adams, the minister, thanked those who had worked hard to reopen access.

“Achilles Bay is one of those special places that means a lot to the people of St George’s and beyond,” he said.

“I know how long residents have been asking for this to be fixed. Now, just in time for the holiday weekend, they’ll have safe access again.

“I also want to thank St Regis Bermuda for allowing us to take back part of their lease agreement to construct the access stairs, which technically falls on their part of the property. These improvements could not have been done without their co-operation.”

A planning application to repair the storm-damaged stairs leading to the beach was first submitted in 2022 with documents stating the stairs and dock showed signs of “major structural failure”.

However, it was announced that the project had been delayed owing to unexpected technical challenges, which led to a redesign.

Mr Adams acknowledged the setbacks, stating: “Projects like this are never as straightforward as they look, especially when dealing with years of erosion, storm damage and complicated terrain. But we stuck with it.

“The engineers, the contractors and the team at the ministry all played their part. We kept the pressure on and the result is something we can all be proud of.”

Mr Adams said that more was to be done at the site but safe access to the beach was the most important aspect of the project for the public.