Little change to Sidmouth beach dog ban after consultation

Seasonal dog bans on local beaches will stay broadly the same after East Devon District Council held a public consultation last year.

Dogs are not permitted on central areas of beaches in the district from 1 May to 30 September each year.

A suggestion to allow people to walk dogs early in the morning and late in the evening during the ban period had been floated in the consultation, but has not been implemented.

Sally Webster, EDDC's Principal Environmental Health Officer, said: "Each year we look to ensure everyone who wants to have a pleasant time on our beautiful beaches can do so.

"It is a balancing act to ensure we can continue to welcome dog walkers as well as those who want to enjoy the beaches away from dogs, and we hope our restrictions achieve this."

The rules

The penalty for breaching the order has been raised from £80 to £100.

At Exmouth, dogs are allowed all year at the two ends of the beach from the third groyne before Orcombe Point and from the Octagon café. Dogs are prohibited from the centre portion of the beach during the ban period.

At Budleigh Salterton, dogs are allowed all year at either end of the beach. They are not allowed between South Parade and Lime Kiln car park during the ban period.

At Sidmouth, dogs are allowed all year on Port Royal beach at the eastern end of the promenade. They are not allowed on the main town beach during the ban period. They are also banned at Jacob's Ladder between the ladder and the last access ramp onto the beach at the turning circle. They are permitted on the west end of the beach starting around 100m from the ladder.

Dogs must also be on a lead along Exmouth Esplanade and by the Queen's Drive space, and along sections of Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth seafronts behind the beaches.

Click here to see a map of the exact ban locations.