Thanet council is reviewing CCTV to identify those responsible for leaving a huge amount of litter on Margate Main Sands at the weekend.
Several coach trip groups visited the town on Saturday (July 27) including a 500 person event, at the Nayland Rock end of the sands.
The mountains of rubbish, including bottles, disposable plates and cups,discarded wrappings,buckets and even broken tents, comes just two days after council workers had to clear a similar scene of litter. There was also evidence of black bin bags.
During the clean up council workers removed six gazebos from Margate Main Sands, filled one seven-and-a-half tonne vehicle full of litter and the beach cleaners collected about 75 bags of rubbish. All the bins along the promenade filled a seven-and-a-half tonne waste vehicle twice over and a four-and-a-half tonne mechanical sweeper used along the seafront first thing was also filled up. The tractor used to rake the sand collected a further tonne of rubbish.
It followed a similar tide of rubbish left only a day before.
Thanet council says footage will now been reviewed with the aim of taking enforcement action.
Thanet District Council leader Bob Bayford said: “We love to see people enjoying our beautiful sandy beaches but the mess that was left on Saturday was shocking and heartbreaking to see.
“Our street cleansing teams work incredibly hard, out in the district seven days a week from 6am to 8pm in the summer months. Margate Main Sands was spotless when people arrived on Saturday and was spotless again by 8:30am the next morning.
“There were a number of groups on the beach on Saturday and permission had been granted for a 500 person event, at the Nayland Rock end. Despite the provision of commercial bins and bags by the council as well as empty bins on the promenade, there was still a huge volume of litter left on the beach. As a result, we are reviewing CCTV footage to identify those responsible with a view to enforcement action and liaising with the event organiser.
“Anyone who visits our beaches has an obligation to leave the beach as they found it. It’s alarming that despite global awareness of the importance of protecting our natural environment, particularly from plastic waste, we are seeing a total lack of regard from some beach users. Sadly this issue is not unique to Margate and we have recently launched our Beauty of the Beach public education campaign in partnership with the Environment Agency and Southern Water highlighting the devastating impact of dropping litter.
“We are asking everyone who uses our beaches to help keep them clean and prevent litter ending up in the sea, causing damage to our natural environment, ocean and planet.
“Leave nothing but footprints is our message to everyone visiting our beaches this summer. Using the beach responsibly and making the choice to use another bin nearby or taking rubbish home makes a real difference. There are no excuses for people to abdicate responsibility and leave their litter behind.”
‘Litter vandals’
North Thanet`s MP, Sir Roger Gale, branded those responsible as “litter vandals” and said the isle needs wardens to issue hefty on the spot fines.
He added: “Most people take their litter home with them but there is an irresponsible minority that believe that they can behave as they wish and expect other people to clear up their trash after them.
“Clearly the council will have to review the provision of rubbish bins adjacent to the entrances to the sands to make sure that the facilities are adequate but at the same time we have to hold the vandals to account.
“If it is possible to issue an on-the-spot fine for dropping a bus ticket in the street then it has to be possible to pay for wardens by issuing hefty immediate penalties for leaving trash on the beach. Once word gets around that the culprits will have to pay for their disgusting behaviour then I suspect that the practice will stop.
“At the end of the day the only real way to curb litter vandalism is to hit the perpetrators where it hurts most – in the pocket.”
dropping litter is a crime so yes TDC find the culprits and send them a fine for dirtying our beach and ban them for a year
they never eat from any of the places
they bring their own
we need to start charging large parties
and those who dirty our beach shame on them!
Angry4u
We had the same happen in Eastbourne few years ago. London Church to blame.
Why are the councils too scared to fine or apply deposits. We locals have ti foot the bill.
Permission was granted for a group of 500 persons, so the council know who the group leaders are. Next time charge £1 per head.
That one group of people should have made a payment to TDC for the consent, in addition to a payment for beach cleaning.
Unfortunately, the other 2,000 people made no payment and left all their rubbish behind. Exactly the same thing happened last year. TDC was well aware last year and had all the evidence but did nothing about it.
The same situation applies this year. Too little, too late.
The same thing will happen again next year . . .
Knowing how this coucil works no action will be taken! they are to busy fining locals for dropping a cigarette end
And you think littering a cigarette butt is acceptable?
Is there somewhere where we can upload photos to?
I’m sure many of us gave them.
Andy – Don’t waste your time sending the photos to TDC.
I sent dozens of photos to officers and members last year – including pics showing the details of the coaches that transported the organised groups – but all at TDC chose to do nothing.
Nothing was done to prevent the problem this year.
Nothing will be done to prevent it happening again next year . . .
Angry4u
We had the same happen in Eastbourne few years ago. London Church to blame.
Why are the councils too scared to fine or apply deposits. We locals have to foot the bill.
I read somewhere that the council do take a deposit from organised groups. It is the ones though that do not advise the council of organised event that are possibly the issue
If local people drop one bit of litter on the pavements in margate or surrounding areas they get a instant fine so why can’t it apply to our beautiful beaches. it’s always people who do notive down here thatmake a mess we value there custom but do not value there litter. what would they say if we dropped litter in there gardens it would cause a riot leave our beaches as you find them.
Perhaps the council should invest in bigger bins it might just prompt the people to dispose of it properly IAM sick of seeing these tiny bins overflowing then the gulls come down tearing it all out Thanet council invest in some decent bins with lids
When we walk to library in summer we see loads of these large metal bins all along the front at Margate. Can’t force people to put their rubbish in them though.
Why does nobody mention the fact that it was Jamaica day at the weekend, it happens every year and it gets worse each year, last year there was a stabbing and virtually no police presence at all. this coming weekend is soul weekend and it’s such a contrast, no problems at all….not one report I’ve seen has mentioned this fact….Political correctness gone mad!
I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT THIS BAD THEY MUST HAVE BEEN DRUNK AND HAD A GOOD DAY AT MARGATE. UNFORTUNATELY IT’S CATCH 22 WE DESPERATELY NEED THE HOLIDAY MAKERS BUT WE DEFINITELY DON’T WANT ALL THIS RUBBISH LEFT BEHIND. HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR THANET COUNCIL WILL PUT THERE THINKING CAPS ON AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. MAYBE THE COULD HAVE THESE COUNCIL OFFICERS WHO CAME TO PALM BAY BOOT FAIR AND GAVE PEOPLE A £80.00 ON THE SPOT FINE FOR DROPPING TISSUES ETC. HOPEFULLY THE HOLIDAY MAKERS WILL CONTINUE TO COME DOWN TO MARGATE AND HAVE A NICE TIME AND THANET COUNCIL CAN HAVE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
Well the event mob paid nothing, brought all their own food and booze and looks like a riot took place. They are not the type of tripper we should be encouraging to town if this is how they repay the courtesy. Yes we knew about them from previous years but like then nothing was done to stop it. It was a weekend when nobody at TDC is available. It is down to TDC to put up signs and bins but you cannot force yobs to use them. My guess is it will continue to happen as the talk from the leader is cheap with no back up or enforcement likely yet again.
Big long signs on the beach entrances
Stating that public will be fined X amount if they don’t clear up their rubbish and dispose of it properly when they leave!!
Beach wardens patrolling
Giving out free bin bags
Educating the groups to be more environmentally friendly and most of all respect our town, our beaches and our local businesses!!!
Well Mr Turner – thank you so much for your for your well thought out, constructive and positive contribution to this debate.
It is, however, most unfortunate that you have revealed yourself in your true colours. Clearly you were not brought up at Eton – instead being eaten and brought up.
We take great solace in the fact that you do not live in Margate.
Renew signs re dog walking on beach and CPO or similar for litter fines and making barbques before 6pm ..you can’t expect life guards/beach wardens to patrol everything..in France sometimes parts of busy beaches are ticket only. We know when the problems occur..hot summer weekends..Soul festival coming up..action needed!
I believe broadstairs organisers are obliged to contract in commercial waste companies for events/large gatherings. Was this applied to the event accepted for margate?
The bin men leave mess in my road every time they attempt to empty the wheelie bins.
Why don’t they get fined the same as if would if i left ltter on margate.