Thanet council has put beach management plans in action three months earlier than usual in preparation for an expected influx of visitors.
TDC has installed 80 new 1,100 litre colourful bins which are normally reserved for the summer months. These bins will be emptied twice a day, seven days a week.
The authority has ordered 42 new blue recycling bins for its Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches. These will be put out at the end of April and have ‘aperture’ type tops to accept bottles and cans whilst making it more difficult to dispose of non-recyclable waste.
There are extended working hours for cleansing teams on beaches/promenades for the duration of the school Easter holidays and two mobile litter teams have been assigned to the coastline. These are in addition to the static cleaners at Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Joss Bay.
Sand levelling and large scale litter-raking has now been completed and the beach tractor will follow the normal summer rota from 5 April.
To tackle antisocial behaviour there are four Covid-wardens for beaches and promenades and the council has recruited dedicated enforcement officers to educate people on the new Beaches and Coast Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) and Coastal Code of Conduct.
The PSPO makes the rules of the coast clear. Enforcement officers will challenge nuisance behaviour and can issue £100 fixed penalty fines for serious and persistent breaches. They will be working alongside Kent Police officers.
Public toilets around the district were reopened yesterday (March 29) and will be cleaned throughout each day.
There are also portaloos in place at Margate Main Sands and Botany Bay.
After threats against toilet staff last year there is now increased security around public toilets.
Increased presence of Civil Enforcement Officers on foot in the Kingsgate/Broadstairs area is aimed at tackling problem parking and static signs will direct visitors to beaches which have more space and available parking when needed.
Gavin Waite, Thanet District Council’s Corporate Director for Communities, said: “Our Beach Management Plan is an integral part of keeping all the services we provide for residents and visitors along our coastline running smoothly.
“We have been working extremely hard behind the scenes to prepare for this latest stage of restrictions easing. Despite these plans normally being implemented in time for the summer season, we have them ready for this Easter weekend.
“Many people will choose to visit our 19 miles of coastline over the coming weekend and in the months ahead. We want to encourage everyone to do the right thing: respect social distancing, wear a mask when asked, and take their litter home when the bins are full.”
A new campaign is also being launched by the council to welcome visitors back to Thanet and remind them (and residents) to ‘Respect’, ‘Protect’ and ‘Enjoy’ Thanet’s towns, beaches and open spaces.
The concept, created by a local Thanet designer, will be displayed at prominent locations across the district including bus stops, roads to popular beaches, train stations, car parks, on litter bins and across the council’s social media channels.
I did notice that the toilets in Thanet aren’t opening now until 9.30am everyday – despite opening at 8am in the winter. I’m not sure you can count that as much of an improvement?
It’s been that way for many years, in summer they’re opened later and then closed later into the evening, to go with the flow of tourist visiting times. That’s a better idea then having it closed at 3PM everyday, when most tourists and beach people won’t be leaving till after 4PM.
Are the enforcement officers going to be on duty between the hours of 6Pm and 7am??. That is when the tents get put up!
The new portaloos at Botany Bay have been placed on the National Cycle Route 15, also known as the Viking Coastal Trail. There is plenty of alternative space, but they have been placed directly on the route. So, should one of the doors be opened, the route is entirely blocked. The point here is that the doors will be opened from the inside, without any warning to passing cyclists, resulting in potentially serious accident. I say again there is plenty of space there for the portaloos to be placed where there is no risk to either cyclists or portaloo users, from inevitable collision.
This should not really be ‘news’, it should happen every year, but fair play, they’re making an effort this year.
It does look like the enforcement side will be stretched to cover 19 miles of coast, 7/7 between say 1000hrs and 2200hrs, particularly as they usually go round in pairs. A dedicated manned ‘hotline’ for reporting bins, litter and anti social behaviour etc available during the same hours would be helpful.
The referred to portaloos at Botany Bay are obstructing the National Cycle Route 15, also known as the Viking Coastal Trail. There is plenty of alternative space, but they have been placed directly on the tarmaced route. When the doors are opened, the route is entirely blocked. The point here is that the doors will be opened from the inside, without any warning to passing cyclists, resulting in potentially serious accidents. I say again, there is plenty of space there for the portaloos to be placed away from the route, so that there is no risk to either cyclists or portaloo users, from inevitable collision.
Tdc need to get all the toilets open again as there is still 10 closed across the isle !
Its hoped the Enforcement Officers will confiscate electric scooters, unless they are from a legitimate hire company! They come under the Road Traffic Act, and should be considered as a Moped with indicators, lights, and a number plate. They are not allowed on pavements, and the rider should be insured for at least Third party, because if they hurt someone then they could be held responsible for damages! Also, the rider must hold a driving license, or provisional driving license! So get them off the road, if they don’t comply!
TDC don’t forget litter is spread all over the side streets approaching sea fronts and not just the promenades.As we never see roadsweeping or litter pickers please don’t fot get about us.We have to put up with apalling levels of litter.
They say extra bins….along westbrook there now 2 very welcome larger wheelie bins but we’ve lost the smaller ones–so further for people to walk to deposit their waste–so likely hood is they wont bother if its not on their route back to the cliff tops! One at Barnes Car Park and one by the Sea Bathing– 7 ways to and fro the beach in between Joined–Up–Thinking please