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Thanet District Council announces beach plans as it expects flood of seaside visitors

Security guards and 200 more bins will be deployed along a stretch of Thanet's seafront as local authority bosses expect the coast to be flooded with visitors.

Thanet District Council has also announced that greater numbers of traffic wardens will be on hand to tackle illegal parking, particularly at known hotspots, this weekend.

Huge crowds of people on Margate Main Sands last month. Picture: Frank Leppard Photography
Huge crowds of people on Margate Main Sands last month. Picture: Frank Leppard Photography

This comes as the authority predicts sun worshippers will flock to beaches in Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs to take advantage of soaring temperatures.

Council leader Rick Everitt said: “This weekend marks the beginning of the summer holidays and looks to be the start of a period of good weather, so operational plans have been enhanced.

“With 19 miles of beautiful coastline, and a tourism sector that is vital to the Thanet economy, we want to do all we can to support local jobs by ensuring those who do visit have a positive experience.

"Most importantly, we want our residents to be reassured that if the weather attracts more people to where they live, we’ll do all we can to prevent disruption so that they can enjoy themselves too.”

The action is being taken as part of a wider response to the large number of visitors to the area this summer, which is being co-ordinated by the council's beach management plan.

Thanet District Council leader Rick Everitt
Thanet District Council leader Rick Everitt

As part of this, a coastal supervisor will travel across the district over the weekend.

The council worker will challenge people seen breaking seaside by-laws, such as those preventing dogs from walking along beaches or jet skis from being launched from unauthorised sites.

The authority's CCTV control room will also provide 24-hour support to enforcement teams as well as the police.

Temporary road signage encouraging people to take their litter home with them has also been erected ahead of tomorrow.

And authority-run beach-cleansing crews on duty during spells in the morning and afternoon to pick up litter and empty bins.

A fight broke out at Viking Bay, Broadstairs on Bank Holiday Monday in May
A fight broke out at Viking Bay, Broadstairs on Bank Holiday Monday in May

Towards the end of last month, 62,000 people descended on two Thanet beaches in the sweltering heat.

About 40,000 revellers flocked to Margate main sands and 22,000 to Viking Bay in Broadstairs - far exceeding the safe limit for social distancing measures.

Shocking reports of fights, drug taking, boozing and people defacating in public places led to a plea from the council to the government for help.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet

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