Keep out! Don’t visit beauty spots
DRASTIC measures to keep holidaymakers from beauty spots during the bank holiday heatwave are being taken by councils and police forces.
Resorts and other tourist areas are expected to be inundated by crowds after last week’s easing of lockdown rules.
With temperatures expected to hit 77F (25C) on Monday, authorities have gone to great lengths to discourage visitors by closing public toilets, shutting beaches and raiding campsites at dawn.
Brighton seafront attracts up to 11million visitors a year, but large areas will be restricted all weekend, with stewards patrolling until 9pm and no lifeguards.
Carmen Appich, chairman of the city’s tourism committee, said: ‘It might be tempting to think of a day at the beach, but there’s a bigger picture to consider, so we’re asking people to please stay away.’ In Lancashire there was anger at piles of rubbish left by revellers following an illegal party in the picturesque Stoney Bank quarry near Darwen yesterday.
Police urged trippers to stay away from the Peak District after photos showed long lines of parked cars, rubbish and used barbecues. Chief Inspector Mark Thorley, of Staffordshire Police, said there had been issues with visitors flocking to the beauty spot last weekend.
Derbyshire Police also intervened, saying: ‘Respect our communities and please put off your visit until later in the year when Derbyshire will be fully open.’
In Merseyside, Sefton Council went so far as to create a spoof postcard telling holidaymakers ‘Wish you weren’t here’, while a number of tourist boards changed their slogans. ‘Visit Chester’ has become ‘Visit Chester (Soon)’, Liverpool’s tourism body has been altered to ‘Visit Liverpool Later’, and ‘Visit Blackpool’ recently rebranded as ‘Do Not Visit Blackpool’.
Police in Newquay, Cornwall, began dawn raids on campervans and tents, ordering holidaymakers out of the area.
Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said: ‘We would love to welcome you back, but ask that you wait just a little longer. Cafes and restaurants remain closed, there are a lack of open facilities and we do not have lifeguards on all our beaches.’
In Essex, Southend- on- Sea council leader Ian Gilbert said eased restrictions and fine weather made things difficult for seaside towns, adding: ‘We are expecting significant numbers this weekend and are trying to manage as best we can.’