A Burnham-On-Sea town councillor has called for more to be done to reduce dog fouling on the town’s beach.
During a Town Council debate regarding work to improve Burnham’s sea water quality, Cllr Louise Parkin said: “Some people don’t realise why dogs aren’t allowed on the beach between the jetty and the Pavilion.”
“Sedgemoor should be putting up signs on the entrances explaining that it’s a designated children’s play area. That’s why dogs aren’t allowed.”
“It might just prick a few consciences that there is a specific reason why dogs are not allowed on that small part of a seven mile beach.”
During the meeting, former town councillor Ken Smout gave an update on the ongoing work by Wessex Water, the Environment Agency and local authorities to improve the town’s sea water quality in the wake of the introduction of the EU’s more stringent testing guidelines.
There was also an update from Burnham’s Coastal Officer Harriet Yates-Smith, right, who is running an independent campaign called ‘Litter Free Coast and Sea Somerset’, a project led by the Severn Estuary Partnership.
She said she has received lots of “positive feedback” from locals regarding the project.
Cllr Kate Lawson added: “We need to raise awareness of the sea water quality problem as widely as possible. There are far-reaching consequences and everyone needs to realise they have a part to play in adressing the problems, whether they are dog owners, land onwers, beach users, or residents who all add to the pollution.”
Cllr Lindsey Ripley thanked Ken and Harriet for their work so far, adding that the beach is “very important.”
Also see:
New Burnham-On-Sea Coastal Officer issues rallying call to community
New Burnham Coastal Officer appointed to improve sea water quality
New Coastal Officer in Burnham will offset impact of EU sea water rules
Tourism fightback starts after EU gives Burnham ‘poor’ sea water grade
Wessex Water’s £39m project to improve Burnham’s sea water ‘on track’
