Keeping your beaches clean

This Olympic and Jubilee year, with the prospect of a boom in UK-based holidays, Volunteer groups have already taken part in beach-cleaning exercises and Council contractors are increasing the frequency of their cleansing activities in the key areas. 

Another factor in keeping our beaches safe and attractive is dog control. Although dogs are welcome on vast stretches of our coastline, there are dog control orders in place on a total of just 1.5 miles of beach, including Southwold, Lowestoft and Kessingland. This means that dogs are not allowed on those beaches from 1st May to 30th September.  

The Council recognises that part of the pleasure of owning a dog comes from taking it for walks. In a seaside area, this means walking your dog on the beach, sometimes without having to keep it on a lead; however these controls try to balance the rights of these groups of beach users so that they can both enjoy our beautiful beaches without affecting the enjoyment of others.

Cllr Stephen Ardley, Cabinet Member for the Green Environment said "The vast majority of dog owners are thoroughly responsible individuals. Most dog owners I have spoken with over the years are equally concerned about how the behaviour of the irresponsible minority affects everybody else. Whether it is dogs running loose annoying people, endangering traffic or being aggressive and out of control in public places.

"We want to see our key tourist beaches as havens of recreation and enjoyment where people can relax and enjoy themselves and these controls on dogs on beaches help secure that. Weather willing, let's have a bumper summer on the beach this year"

For the first time, enforcement officers employed by Suffolk Coastal Services  will join Waveney Norse colleagues to visit affected beaches at key times - providing advice, education and where necessary, enforcement.

So, please do your bit. If you wish to raise anything to do with dogs on beaches with us, please telephone 01502 562111 or email environment@waveney.gov.uk.   

Dogs are not permitted on the following beaches between 1st May & 30th September (inclusive):

LOWESTOFT BEACH: 

Between the South Pier, southward to a point adjacent to the CEFAS building.

SOUTHWOLD BEACH:
From a point adjacent to the northernmost extremity of the promenade (at the northern end of the beach huts) to a point adjacent to the East Street steps (just below the Sailor's Reading Room).

KESSINGLAND BEACH:
From a point at the eastern end of Coastguard Lane, 240 metres northwards to a point north east of the concrete slope into the holiday bungalows.

CORTON BEACH:
From a point to the east of Baker's Score, southwards to a point to the east of Tibbenham's Score.

Dogs taken onto these areas of beach outside these periods (i.e. from 1st October to 30th April) must be kept on a lead.