Piles of rubbish on beaches and proms at Margate sands, Botany Bay, Viking Bay, Palm Bay and Westgate over the last few days have provoked a public outcry.
Councillors including Westgate’s Bertie Braidwood and Broadstairs mayor Mike Garner voiced dismay over the litter strewn on streets and bays.
Cllr Braidwood said: “Every single promenade bin (was) overflowing ahead of another busy day for both beaches.
“I’ve written to the portfolio holder responsible (cabinet member Cllr Steve Albon) asking him to explain TDC’s current refuse strategy and whether he thinks this is acceptable. What a disgrace.”
Cllr Garner says he has received several complaints.
He said: “Several people have contacted me over the past few days to complain about the amount of litter that’s been left strewn about the town at the end of each day and about the overflowing litter bins. I have to say, I share their dismay as it’s recently been the worst I can remember for quite a while.”
Yesterday (August 13) Cllr Garner filled seven bags with litter picked from the High Street and the prom.
He said: “While responsibility for a lot of the litter strewn around the streets sits mainly with the people who do it, we need to do all we can to make it easier for those people to dispose of their litter responsibly.
“In essence we need more bins, especially during the holiday season, in places where people can easily find them. We need them emptied more often and we need more street cleaners.”
Cllr Garner said the Town Council would look to see how more could be done through organising extra litter picks and working closely with the district council to make sure Broadstairs is considered a high priority.
A town mayor litter pick has already been organised for this Saturday (August 17) from 10am to 11.30am, meeting at the bandstand. There will be some litter pickers, bag holders and gloves but if people have their own equipment they are asked to bring it. Bags will be provided.
However, Cllr Garner says this morning Thanet council has installed 12 new wheelie bins along the parade.
He said: “I’m pleased to see that TDC have listened to some of our suggestions and placed several extra bins along the parade this morning. I’ve seen one being used.
“They’ll need to make sure they’re put in place at the start of the season next year as part of a plan to prevent the same thing happening again.”
The Friends of Botany Bay CIC say a huge mountain of bagged rubbish left at the bay on Monday was due to the council’s ineptitude in tackling parking problems which arise every year, meaning bin lorries were unable to get through and take the rubbish away.
Ward councillor Alan Munns said cars blocking the routes caused the issue, but added: “We are trying to find a solution to the parking issues. Credit to the bin team who were there at 8am the next morning. It took them two trips to clear the bins. They are really working hard and it was an awful job.”
Resident Becca Jenkins says she was shocked by the huge litter pile at Botany when she went to watch the meteor shower on Sunday night.
She said: “ I couldn’t believe how much rubbish was on the beach. It” was pitch black so difficult to see the extent of it, but it was everywhere.
“The bins at the top of the stairs were overflowing but it seems many people just left theirs on the beach.
“We are blessed to have so many beautiful beaches in Thanet ,it’s just a shame that others completely disrespect them.”
Thanet council says extra resources are put in place during the summer season with, this year, 100 extra bins installed around the coast, plus 30 large mixed recycling bins at key locations.
The council’s Waste and Recycling teams work extended hours during the summer months. Cleaning crews are on duty every day from 6am to 6pm, extended to 8pm when required, emptying the bins on the most popular beaches twice every day and collecting litter. This summer, there are three additional crews in place.
The council has also employed four litter pickers who cover Margate Main Sands, Joss Bay and Viking Bay in Broadstairs, and Ramsgate Main Sands.
A spokesperson said: “Thanet has 19 miles of beautiful coastline and the council, along with local partners and community groups, works hard all year round to ensure it’s in the best condition possible.
“During the peak summer season, the council puts extra resources into beach management, to plan for the increased demand on services. Measures include placing more rubbish and recycling bins along the coastline and deploying additional cleansing teams who work extended hours to tackle the demand.
“Education plays a key part in reminding people to take responsibility for their own waste and to respect the environment around them. Messages are shared, including on social media, throughout the summer, encouraging people to put rubbish into the bins provided, recycle it, or take it home with them if bins are full.
“Thanet also has a Beach and Coast Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place. It helps keep the district’s beaches clean and safe for everyone to enjoy, and prohibits a range of activities. Dedicated Enforcement Officers patrol the coast and speak to anyone spotted breaching the PSPO, to educate them about the rules. If this approach fails, Enforcement Officers can issue Fixed Penalty Notices.
“Botany Bay is situated in a residential area with very limited parking. Everyone who visits the beach is reminded to park considerately to maintain access for residents, emergency vehicles and waste trucks. This is a year-round message and is reinforced on digital signs on routes into Thanet and near to Botany Bay.”
The constant mounds of litter are a recurring issue for Thanet. In 2018, Thanet council collected over 5 tonnes of litter from isle parks, streets and beaches, some 3.5 tonnes of that was just from beaches.
Workers also cleared 100 tonnes of fly-tipped rubbish, emptied 900 tonnes of rubbish from bins and cleared 840,00 tonnes of detritus during street sweeping.
The cost of that cleaning and litter collections to Thanet District Council was £1.9million and it was an exercise repeated again in 2019.
Just last month there were complaints in Margate and at Viking Bay that rubbish had piled up on promenades, next to large dustbins, and was noticeable on beaches.
One resident said: “The rubbish is an ongoing issue and made worse with them taking all the bins away in (Broadstairs) high street.
“We need better bins that the seagulls can’t get in and in the summer, more collections.”
Summer holidays signal return of rubbish left on isle promenades and beaches
