Beach dog ban renewed to preserve Blue Flag status

Councillors have defended a decision to renew a ban on dogs using Lincolnshire’s award-winning beaches.

East Lindsey District Council has renewed an existing Public Space Protection Order at Mablethorpe, Skegness and Sutton on Sea, meaning owners are not allowed to walk their pets on the sands between 1 May and 30 September.

Anyone caught doing so during these dates could be fined up to £1,000.

The authority said the ban - effective until 2027 - maintains the resorts’ Blue Flag status, which recognises high standards of cleanliness and attracts visitors to support the economy.

The ban was introduced in October 2017 to "foster responsible dog ownership".

A public consultation received more than 500 responses, with some owners feeling it was unnecessary as they cleaned up after their pets. Others thought it was a good idea.

The Kennel Club said its feedback suggested the beaches were empty in the early mornings and late evenings and these could be ideal times for dog owners to walk their pets.

Councillor Martin Foster, portfolio holder for operational services at the council, said allowing dogs to use the beaches at specific times was "not practical".

He said: "Within those Blue Flag areas under the new order, we’ll be protecting the public with young families and trying to keep the beaches clean with our cleansing team, which operates early in the morning and late at night when visitors have gone.

"They operate machinery, which will also affect the running of pets along the beaches, so we want to think of the safety of the pets as well as the owners and make sure that everybody’s safe."

Foster stressed that other beaches were accessible all year round for dogs.

"It’s important to realise that we’re not doing this to punish dog owners," he added.

He said the council has now aligned the Blue Flag areas and dog ban areas and improved signage to make it simpler to understand after some confusion in the past.

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