Council has approved a Coastal and Visitor Areas Pubic Spaces Protection Order
Heatwave weather on Crosby Beach.(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Many people will be planning a trip to Merseyside’s beautiful coastline this summer. However, before visiting the beaches in Waterloo, Crosby, Formby, Ainsdale and Southport, there are a number of restrictions to consider which may lead to people being fined.
Sefton Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee met at Bootle Town Hall on June 10 to decide on a number of proposals including an extension to the Coastal and Visitor Areas Pubic Spaces Protection Order (CVA PSPO). The local authority said it has successfully used this legislation to manage visitor behaviour and protect the coastline and other popular visitor areas.
The council added the 2022 CVA PSPO has helped ensure Sefton’s coastline and town centres can be enjoyed by everyone. Activities covered by the PSPO include littering and pollution, fires and BBQs, dog fouling, balloons or lantern releases and anti-social behaviour – breaching these restrictions can result in a £75 Fixed Penalty Notice.
Ahead of the expiration of the current order, elected members recommended an extension of the PSPO which will come into force pending council approval July 10. Approval will be reliant on two factors which will guide the councillors voting on the plan, including whether activities have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.
Kick-a-bout at the Iron Men on Crosby Beach(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The Restrictions are:
(1) To light or fuel any open fire nor to use, light or discard any disposable, gas powered or standard charcoal barbecue.
(2) Fireworks, balloons, and lantern releases.
(3) Large gatherings of forty persons or more, which have been told to disperse by an Authorised Person to prevent anti-social behaviour.
(4) Events such as lectures, speeches, sermons, busking, live music, boot camps, sport events, use of generators and other types of entertainment performances/shows or organised activities without prior express written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council as per our events policy.
(5) Overnight stays in tents, motorhomes, or caravans without the express written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council – including, but not limited to, pitching, or occupying tents, motorhomes, caravans’ sunshades, and windbreaks excepted if in situ a maximum of 12 hours.
(6) Collecting money without the express written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.
(7) Begging or soliciting money.
(8) Advertising any article verbally or by the distribution of leaflets and flyers, circulars, or advertisements of any kind.
(9) Flyposting and other fixed notices on railings, posts, or other street furniture without prior express written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, and a fee may be chargeable for this. Notices must be taken down within an agreed period.
(10) Selling goods, products, or services without the prior express written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.
(11) Boat or Paddleboard launching with the exception of certain parts of the coast and lakes as detailed in Schedule 6 with the express prior written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council. Canoes are not allowed other than at designated launching locations as detailed in Schedule 6 and with the express prior written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.
People enjoy the hot weather on Formby beach(Image: Liverpool Echo)
(12) Watercrafts and power kiting without the express prior written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.
(13) Being in charge of any pleasure boat, windsurfer, kite board, paddleboard, jet ski or any other vessel and causing or permitting the same to be used in a dangerous manner, without due care or attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons OR failing to comply with instructions from an Authorised Person in respect of said vessel.
(14) Undertake kite surfing, parakiting or other powered kite activity anywhere on the coast other than the designated Kite beach at Ainsdale Beach as detailed in Schedule 6.
(15) Bring, ride, beach or launch any jet ski other than at the Marine Lakes and in compliance with the operators at these locations.
(16) Take part in the activities set out in paragraphs 11,12,13,14,15 without the express prior written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council and insurance.
(17) Cycling apart from on cycle paths and routes, following road rules/localized signage.
(18) Riding any cycle without due care and attention or without due care and consideration for other users of that area.
(19) Climbing on structures such as Southport Pier and outfall pipes on the beach.
(20) Swimming in lakes ponds or pools.
(21) Allowing dogs in dog free zones on the beach or in fenced off areas or in pools or ponds. Dogs to be kept on leads within conservation grazing enclosures whilst grazing animals are present.
(22) Horses are not allowed into the designated bathing areas between 1st May and 30th September, nor to enter vegetated areas on or adjacent to the beach or to ride through flocks of roosting/feeding birds or gallop anywhere on the beach.
(23) Horses must not be ridden dangerously or within 2 hours either side of high tide.
(24) Horses not allowed to be ridden on the coast other than on designated bridleways and those beaches with access via an authorised route.
People enjoy the hot weather on Formby beach(Image: Liverpool Echo)
(25) Driving outside of the delineated parking area onto the foreshore or into the dunes unless express prior permission has been granted by Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.
(26) Speeding / driving faster than the 10-mph speed limit in the designated areas of the beach car park. Racing, handbrake turns, and other dangerous manoeuvres, unlicensed drivers etc. are prohibited.
(27) Powered flight such as paramotor, para sender, hang glider or other similar craft is not allowed in any restricted area without the express prior written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council. This includes taking off and landing.
(28) Bring or permit to be used any remote-controlled vehicle including model aircraft or drone without the express prior written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.
(29) Being in possession of glass bottles or containers on any beach.
(30) Throwing of objects such as stones, pebbles, or anything else in a manner likely to cause alarm and distress to another person.
(31) Playing golf.
(32) Urinating, spitting, defecating outdoors.
(33) ingest, inhale, inject, smoke, or otherwise use drugs or substances believed to be psychoactive substances.
(34) Possess or release any canister containing compressed gas.
(35) Act in a disorderly manner to cause harassment, alarm, nuisance, or distress to others in the locality.
(36) Bring in or permit to happen anything which pollutes or is likely to pollute the environment or cause harm to flora and fauna or people. This can include chemicals getting into water bodies plastic waste anywhere but particularly the foreshore where it can be washed out to sea, biosecurity, noise pollution, dog fouling or human waste.
(37) Bring or be in possession of any weapon, catapult, firearm, bow and arrow, crossbow, knife, or other article likely to cause harm to persons in the area.
(38) Drinking alcohol in a public place, after being told not to by an Authorised Person in order to prevent anti-social behaviour. This provision does not apply to alcohol being consumed on licensed premises.
(39) Have an open alcohol container in any public place after request by an Authorised Person to hand over the container.
(40) Interreference with life saving equipment including life rings, life belts and defibrillator equipment and related safety signage and PSPO signage.