Visitors urged ‘Don’t turn your staycation into a holiday from Hell!’
12 Aug 2025
Visitors to Holy Island are being reminded once again of the serious dangers posed by ignoring tide times when crossing the tidal causeway that links the island to the mainland.
Despite multiple warning signs, digital displays and consistent public safety messaging vehicles continue to be caught out by the fast-rising North Sea.
Already this year several cars have been stranded on the causeway. Last month saw families forced to abandon their vehicles and dial 999 for emergency rescue as they were cut off.
The causeway to Holy Island (also known as Lindisfarne) is only safe to cross at clearly posted times when the tide is out. Outside of these times, the road quickly becomes submerged - with no second chances for those who try to beat the sea.
Councillor Gordon Stewart, Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Safety, said: “Around 10 to 20 vehicles are stranded on the causeway each year, often with holidaymakers watching their cars - and their carefully planned breaks disappear under the water.
“With more people choosing ‘staycations’ it is crucial for visitors to strictly observe the times because the tide rises rapidly and without warning, turning the causeway from a road to a waterway within a matter of minutes.
“Each rescue puts not only lives and property at risk but places unnecessary pressure on the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and HM Coastguard, whose teams respond to these fully preventable emergencies.
“Our safety reminder is part of the Council’s ongoing “Love it Like it’s Yours” campaign which encourages visitors to treat Northumberland’s landscapes and habitats with care and respect.
“The old saying ‘Time and tide wait for no man’ is a truth soon learned the hard way by people who try to outrun the sea.”
Senior Coastal Operations Officer, Ryan Douglas, HM Coastguard, said: “HM Coastguard encourages members of the public to check tide times before visiting the coast and stick to the safe crossing times on Holy Island Causeway.
“Driving on Holy Island Causeway when its flooded is incredibly dangerous. If you do find yourself in trouble or see someone in distress at the coast dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard”