Council bosses have this week urged beachgoers in Burnham-On-Sea not to light fires or barbecues following several safety ‘scares’ over the past fortnight.
Local byelaws prohibit fires and barbecues on Burnham’s beach, says Sedgemoor District Council, but the warm weather has prompted several groups to ignore the rules in recent days, as pictured.
Sedgemoor’s Resort Manager Graham Newing told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Fires on the edge of the dunes can quickly spread, especially during dry weather.”
“We saw a big fire in Berrow dunes in 2004 which destroyed a big area and no-one wants to see a repeat of that.”
“Fires in the dunes are a concern for both the council and nearby residents.”
He added: “It’s worth noting that fires and barbecues are not allowed on Burnham beach – that’s the local byelaw. Properly-controlled, disposal barbebcues are allowed on Berrow beach, though.”
Burnham Police have stepped up their patrols of the beach in recent weeks following recent concerns about parties in the dunes and waste problems.
