Apparently Rother Council requested lifeguards last August after 2 people drowned, but the RNLI didn't have the resources or manpower at the time.  So I'm not sure the Council can be blamed unless there are no warning signs on this beach which has seen a few accidents over the years. Apparently after last year's drownings there are lifeguards there this summer. 

Are coastal councils expected to pay out compensation for people who are not watching the environment they are in and fail to see that the tide is coming in behind them?

People need to be educated at an early age about the dangers of the sea and the fact that the tide comes in and out.  Around here tourists sometimes have to be rescued when they walk around the base of steep cliffs at low tide and then seem surprised that they get cut off when the tide comes in!   Maybe some public broadcasts on TV might make some people think before going far offshore or walking around cliffs..

There are tragic drowning accidents every year around our coasts but it's impractical to have warning signs everywhere, and some  occur when there are visible signs but people choose to ignore them.  The sea is not a paddling pool and people should be aware of potential dangers in the sea just as they are aware that crossing the road can be dangerous.