The National Works Agency (NWA) yesterday served notice on the persons claiming ownership of the popular Old Steamer Beach in Hopewell, Hanover, to remove fencing and columns that have erected on the property.

Over recent weeks, residents of Hopewell and the surrounding communities of Lookout, Orchard Gardens, Orchard Housing Scheme, and Pondpiece, who have been using the beach unimpeded over many years, have been questioning the authenticity of the claim of ownership by the persons who have been fencing off the larger section of the beach.

“The beach has been opened to the public all my life and I am over 60n years old,”one resident told The Gleaner. “I am very suspicious about this belated claim of ownership and the attempt to rob us of our beach.”