Proposals to ease restrictions on where dogs can be walked on Burnham-On-Sea beach have been opposed by town councillors this week.
As reported here last month, Somerset Council has been consulting on whether to make changes to the existing dog exclusion orders on Burnham-On-Sea beach. These would result in fewer restrictions on where dogs can be walked while maintaining a dog-free area.
Somerset Council has been consulting on the proposals as part of a review of its Public Space Protection Orders, which are the legal way that it can prosecute dog owners for dog control issues.
But at Town Council meeting this week, Burnham and Highbridge town councillors have voted to oppose the proposed changes and retain the current restrictions on where dogs can be walked on local beaches.
Cllr Barbara Vickers said: “People have a right to be in areas of the beach where there aren’t dogs. Dogs shouldn’t be able to just roam along the whole beach. I think we have to protect those areas.”
Cllr Peter Clayton added he too does not support changes to the beach restrictions. “Generally, I thought we were looking to improve the town and the sea water quality. You can’t rely on people picking up all the time. I see problems even with all the existing dog bans in place, so I don’t think they should be changed.”
Mayor Cllr Lesley Millard added: “Personally, I think the issue is about the owners and not the dogs.” Cllr Ganesh Gudka added: “I don’t see a harm in loosening the restrictions.”
Councillors voted not to support the proposed changes. A final decision is expected from Somerset Council early in the new year.
Current rules for dogs on Burnham-On-Sea beach:
- Burnham beach area 1 (between the Jetty and the Pavilion): Current all-year-round ban on dogs on Burnham beach between the Jetty and Pavilion.
- Burnham beach area 2 (between the Jetty and the Yacht club): Dogs are currently banned from 1st May – 30 Sept between the Jetty and the Yacht Club.
- Burnham beach area 3 (between the Pavilion and Maddocks Slade and the north end of the sea wall): Dogs are banned between the Pavilion and Maddocks Slade from 1st May – 30 Sept.
