Dog beach ban comes back into force today
RESTRICTIONS RETURN FOR SUMMER SEASON
DOG walkers will be restricted from the main stretch of Cleethorpes Beach from today for the summer season.
People will now not be allowed to walk their dogs along the central beach until September 30. The owners of dogs found on the beach between Cleethorpes Leisure Centre and the Wonderland groyne risk being fined £100.
The banning of dogs from the beach in summer is linked to Blue Flag beach certification, as North East Lincolnshire Council has explained in the past.
The council said: “Primarily it is a requirement to obtain Blue Flag Status. The Seaside Awards are part of the Keep Britain Tidy portfolio. The Blue Flag criteria states that, “During the bathing season dogs must be excluded from the award area”. “Cleethorpes relies heavily on tourism and Blue Flag status is the benchmark that makes it stand out and attract visitors. Around the country, all beaches with a Blue Flag status have the same stipulation. Restricting the dogs to designated areas of the beach during the summer season allows everyone to enjoy the beach.”
Cleethorpes lost its Blue Flag status in 2022, after North East Lincolnshire Council did not apply due to its bathing water quality rating being ‘good’ - which is only the second highest.
A beach must have an “excellent” water quality rating four years in a row in order to gain Blue Flag status. There is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in place for Cleethorpes beach, which means wardens can give dog walkers a £100 fine for being on the beach or not picking up dog poo. If offenders fail to pay the fixed penalty, it is likely they will be prosecuted in magistrates’ court and fined up to £1,000. Currently, there is still a stretch of Cleethorpes beach that dog walkers can enjoy in the summer months for dog walkers. No dog ban is in place from the section from Cleethorpes
Leisure Centre towards Humberston Fitties, meaning your pooches can still feel the sand on their paws in the high season.
Dogs are allowed on Humberston Fitties throughout the year. But they need to be kept on a lead if they don’t have a good recall to protect ground-nesting birds in the area. In a statement calling on people using the beaches to be mindful of the birds, North East Lincolnshire
Council said: “Easter is almost upon us and everyone is gearing up for the start of the season in Cleethorpes. From enjoying a wander along the prom to sighting some of nature’s most beautiful birds along the salt marsh. “With its sand dunes, salt marsh and tidal mud flats, Cleethorpes is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest and provides vital habitat for hundreds of thousands of wading birds, rare plants and sea life. Always keep a safe distance away and do not disturb.
“Remember this is their habitat, their home and we are the visitors. If you have concerns for an animal or bird’s health or safety, you can report it to the resort management team on 01472 323356.”