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Beach and Coast PSPO Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct for responsible beach use

Respect our beaches, respect our wildlife, respect others beach users

  • Observe the water safety guidance for your safety and that of others, especially swimmers
  • Keep a respectful distance between you and other beach users especially when playing games, and don’t interfere with other people’s enjoyment of the beach
  • Do not feed the seagulls! This means not leaving food open and lying around. The more food there is, the more seagulls will come, and they can become aggressive.
  • Leave no trace. Respect our beaches as the natural habitats they are first and foremost. This means binning any rubbish you generate, or taking it home with you. Do not leave rubbish next to bins, this is littering and you will get a fine if caught.

Abide by our rules for other activities for everyone’s safety and enjoyment of the coast

Items covered under a new Public Spaces Protection Order: Code of Conduct for specific activities

  • No motorised or electric vehicles may be parked or driven on the promenades or beaches as follows:
    Cars, vans, lorries, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, segways and any other motorised vehicles. (With the exception of mobility scooters and electric bicycles). Unless permission has been granted by the Council and evidence of this can be produced.
  • No deliveries to concessions after 10am.
  • No obstruction may be caused at any time to the promenade by vehicles or any other structure or object, which impedes access by emergency services or Council vehicles.
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At any time of year between the hours of sunrise and sunset, and from 1 May to 30 September inclusive between the hours of 10am and 6pm, a person shall not ride any cycle on any of the promenades where localised signage requires you to dismount. You must adhere to the signs which vary around the coast. This is for the purposes of health and safety and the enjoyment of others in busy areas.

  • A cycle means a bicycle, a tricycle or a cycle having four or more wheels, including one power-assisted by electrical (or other means not being in any case a motorcycle or motor vehicle.)
  • Please refer to our safe cycling guide, which includes tips for where you will need to dismount regardless of signage ie beach huts mean dismount, and rules for electric powered bikes and scooters, disability scooters)
  • Localised rules around where cycling along proms is permitted may be changed seasonally as required for events, or under exceptional circumstances.
  • Please adhere to dismount, slow signs and other local requirements.
  • Look for the signage on the promenade, adjacent to facilities and at entry to the beaches and bays for instructions.
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  • Bonfires are not permitted on any of the Council’s land at any time. BBQs are not permitted on any of the Council’s land, however are permitted on beaches after 6pm.
  • Balloon and sky lantern releases are not permitted on Council land.
  • Parties and large gatherings are not permitted on the Council’s beaches without prior permission. Large organised groups of 20 or more need to seek permission first. Contact the council’s Beach and Coast Team on 01843 577000. Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

Rules and regulations regarding barbecues and gatherings:

  1. Barbecues are not permitted until after 6pm and must be set up on beach/ promenade away from the café, concessions or any other buildings. They must be extinguished by 10pm.
  2. It is extremely important that any remaining cinders from the barbecues are extinguished. Please make sure you remove them from the beach and promenade areas, do not place them in the beach bins as they are not fit for this purpose. Please do not bury them as this is a danger to other beach users.
  3. We would prefer you use custom-built or oil drum barbecues if possible but not gas please. Disposable BBQs are not permitted.
  4. Under no circumstances are open bonfires to be built on the beach.
  5. Please make sure you leave the beach in a clean and tidy condition. If the bins are full please take your rubbish with you.
  6. People are asked to ensure that minimum nuisance is caused to nearby houses by making sure adequate transport and/or supervision is provided when people are leaving the area.
  7. We would request that no glass to be taken onto the beach or approach areas.
  8. The use of generators or marquees is not permitted.
  9. Be advised that camping is not allowed on any of our land; see rule on camping.
  10. Public conveniences will not be open so you must consider what arrangements you will make for this using other nearby amenities.
  11. Large groups of 20 or more need to seek permission first- see rule on large gatherings. Contact the council’s Beach and Coast Team on 01843 577000. Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
  12. Balloon and sky lantern releases are not permitted on Council land. Please find alternative ways to celebrate or mark an occasion such as advice given by MCS and RSPB
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Begging, Touting, Hawking, Selling is not permitted anywhere on Thanet’s beaches, promenades and coast. This includes:

  • Begging or soliciting for money*
  • Advertising any article verbally or by the distribution of leaflets and flyers, circulars or advertisements of any kind
  • Flyposting and other fixed notices on railings, posts or other street furniture without prior permission from the Beach and Coast Team, and a fee may be chargeable for this. Notices must be taken down within an agreed period.
  • Selling goods, products or services without prior permission of the Council.

(*Begging or soliciting for money. The act of begging is deemed as either approaching people for money, or being stationary and asking for money , or positioned on the floor to invite the offer of money or goods.)

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Horse riding is not permitted:

  • between 1st May and 30th September, between the hours of 9am and 7pm.
  • at any time in a race or so as to cause danger or annoyance to any persons using the seashore or foreshore to break-in any horse.
  • or at any time, all year round, within Pegwell Bay (Sandwich & Pegwell National Nature Reserve).

Avoid getting close to the summer bird breeding grounds and main winter roosts on the shingle beaches between Minnis Bay and Reculver.

These rules shall not apply to children riding either horses or donkeys led or attended by a responsible person on foot.

Riders are reminded:

  • To clear up the beach/prom/slipway after their ride
  • When leaving the beach please use the relevant slipways avoiding the main promenade areas at all times
  • Riders must adhere to the no galloping/racing rule and show due consideration to other beach/promenade users at all times.

Please read the Thanet Coast Project’s Horse Riding Code

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Camping or the erection of any structure (This includes but is not exclusive to vehicles, tents, yurts, marquees and any other temporary building) being used to occupy land is not permitted on beaches, promenades, clifftops, nearby green spaces, car parks and surrounding areas of the public realm without prior consent of the Council

Overnight parking is not permitted for any reason without prior consent of the Council at any of the following locations along our coast: on green spaces above or next to bays, promenades, beaches, or in our beach car parks (paid or unpaid). This applies to camper vans and caravans, motorhomes, marquees, tents and cars with trailer tents.

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Lectures, speeches, sermons, live music and other types of entertainment performances/shows etc are not permitted, unless prior permission has been granted by the Council as per our events policy. In any case any activities of the kind, including filming and photo shoots, intended to be held on the beach/coast need prior permission from the Media Team and Beach/Coast Team.

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  • Urination, defecation, spitting or littering are not permitted
  • Drinking alcohol in a public place, after being told not to: No person shall consume alcohol or have an open alcohol container in any public place after having being requested by an Authorised Officer or Police Constable to cease consumption or hand over the container. This provision does not apply to alcohol being consumed on licensed premises.
  • Ingesting, inhaling, injecting, smoking or otherwise using drugs or substances reasonably believed to be psychoactive substances.
  • Possessing or releasing any canister containing compressed gas
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Please read our Field Trip Code for advice on organised trips to our coast. See link to schools trips notifications and online form.

Please follow these links to read and understand the rules on general recreational activities:

Please follow these links to read and understand the rules on harvesting/gathering any items from the beach or surroundings:

Balloon and sky lantern releases are not permitted in our on Council land. Please find alternative ways celebrate or mark an occasion.

Advice can be found on the following sites:

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The Walpole Bay Tidal Pool is for bathing only, no watersports or craft are permitted in the tidal pool unless written permission has been granted by the Council. This is to ensure activities are managed safely, those applying to use the pool will need to produce risk assessments, safe working practices and evidence of insurance.

Please follow these links to read and understand the rules in relation to respecting coastal wildlife:

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Water User Group- rules for water craft

A Water User Group is available to those who would like access boat launching facilities, slipways and moorings for sailing boats and other crafts. Thanet boasts a number of beaches and bays where water activities are permitted including: fishing, jet skiing, sailing, speed boats and water skiing.

For an annual fee, members of the water user group gain access to our designated facilities for permitted launching. Fees will change annually as part of the Council’s fees and charges process. For 2024 the fee is £122. No replacement key fee from April 24/25- members who lose their key must re-register and pay full fee of £122 again

Register at thanet.gov.uk/water-users
For enquiries, contact: wateruser@thanet.gov.uk

On signing up to our water user group you agree to abiding by the Council’s rules and regulations. Any breach of these will result in your water user group membership being terminated, with no refund. You will also face the same financial penalty as any breach of our rules incurs under the PSPO.

Examples of breaches these penalties will apply to include:

  • The copying of issued barrier keys
  • Leaving barriers open for non-group members to access
  • Launching of craft that is not permitted at a particular site
  • The use of craft in a manner that poses a risk to the safety of people or wildlife
  • The use of craft in a manner that has the potential to cause harassment, alarm and distress to any other beach or coast users, or residents

We require all PWCs/jet skis to ensure the following:

  • Not remove the silencers from their machines or carry out any other modifications to the exhaust system
  • Display the unique registration number for PWC
  • Be over the age of 17
  • On launching make sure to stay away from the beaches and bathing waters, other coast users and our nature reserves around the coast. You must not disturb any coastal wildlife by getting too close.

Desirable:

  • Hold the PWC proficiency qualification which is a one-off, one day course costing around £160

WCs may launch from the clubs/concessions listed below:

  • Birchington
    • Beresford Gap, Birchington
      • Launching facilities are not part of the water user group. Launching facilities for speed boats, jet skis and waterskiing are designated for members of the Beresford Water Ski Club only. Please contact Leigh Flockhart at leighflockhart@hotmail.com or 07808 232011.
  • Cliftonville
    • Palm Bay/Hodge’s Gap, Cliftonville
      • Launching facilities are not part of the water user group. Launching for PWC (jet ski, jet bikes, wet bikes only) are operated by Jet Ski World (cafe/showers/ toilets). Fees apply, contact Jet Ski World on 01843 231703.
    • Foreness club offer a jet ski membership as an add on to those with a boat membership. You cannot obtain a jet ski membership on its own. Other rules apply.
  • Ramsgate
    • Ramsgate Harbour
      • Launching facilities at Ramsgate Harbour are not part of the water user group. Launching and mooring fees apply. Contact the Harbour Office on 01843 572100 or portoframsgate@thanet.gov.uk
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  • Broadstairs
    • Viking Bay, Broadstairs
      • Launching permitted for sail craft and fishing boats. Moorings available – fees apply.
      • Contact the Harbour Office on 01843 572100 or portoframsgate@thanet.gov.uk
        Ramsgate
  • Ramsgate Harbour
    • Launching facilities at Ramsgate Harbour are not part of the water user group. Launching and mooring fees apply.
    • Contact the Harbour Office on 01843 572100 or portoframsgate@thanet.gov.uk
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  • Birchington
    • Minnis Bay, Birchington
      • Launching permitted for fishing boats and sail craft.
  • Westgate
    • West Bay, Westgate (western slipway)
      • Launching permitted for fishing boats and sail craft. Max 14ft, Max 20HP. Hand launching only during summer months 1 June to 30 September.
    • West Bay, Westgate (eastern slipway – by kiosk and beach huts)
      • Launching permitted for fishing boats and sail craft. No launching during summer months 1 June to 30 September.
    • St Mildred’s Bay, Westgate
      • Launching permitted for fishing boats and sail craft. No launching permitted between 9am and 6pm during summer months 1 June to 30 September.
  • Margate
    • Margate (front) Harbour
      • Launching permitted for sail craft and fishing boats. Moorings available – fees apply.
      • Contact the Harbour Office on 01843 572100 or portoframsgate@thanet.gov.uk
    • Margate (rear) Harbour
      • Launching permitted for sail craft, fishing boats and speed boats.
  • Cliftonville
    • Foreness Bay, Cliftonville
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  • Birchington
    • Minnis Bay, Birchington
      • Launching permitted for sail craft.
  • Westgate
    • West Bay, Westgate (western slipway)
      • Launching permitted for fishing boats and sail craft. Max 14ft, Max 20HP. Hand launching only during summer months 1 June to 30 September.
    • West Bay, Westgate (eastern slipway – by kiosk and beach huts) •
      • Launching permitted for fishing boats and sail craft. No launching during summer months 1 June to 30 September.
    • St Mildred’s Bay, Westgate
      • Launching permitted for fishing boats and sail craft. No launching permitted between 9am and 6pm during summer months 1 June to 30 September.
  • Margate
    • Margate (front) Harbour
      • Launching permitted for sail craft and fishing boats. Moorings available – fees apply.
      • Contact the Harbour Office on 01843 572100 or portoframsgate@thanet.gov.uk
    • Margate (rear) Harbour
      • Launching permitted for sail craft, fishing boats and speed boats.
  • Broadstairs
    • Viking Bay, Broadstairs
      • Launching permitted for sail craft and fishing boats. Moorings available – fees apply.
      • Contact the Harbour Office on 01843 572100 or portoframsgate@thanet.gov.uk
  •  Ramsgate
    • Ramsgate Harbour
      • Launching facilities at Ramsgate Harbour are not part of the water user group. Launching and mooring fees apply.
      • Contact the Harbour Office on 01843 572100 or portoframsgate@thanet.gov.uk
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  • Birchington
    • Beresford Gap, Birchington
      • Launching facilities are not part of the water user group. Launching facilities for speed boats, jet skis and waterskiing are designated for members of the Beresford Water Ski Club only. Please contact Leigh Flockhart at leighflockhart@hotmail.com or 07808 232011.
  • Westbrook
    • Westbrook/Barnes Car Park
      • Launching permitted for speed boats and water skiing.
  • Margate
    • Margate (rear) Harbour
      • Launching permitted for sail craft, fishing boats and speed boats.
  • Cliftonville
    • Foreness Bay, Cliftonville

Launching permitted for fishing boats, speed boats and water skiing.

  • Ramsgate
    • Ramsgate Harbour
      • Launching facilities at Ramsgate Harbour are not part of the water user group.
      • Launching and mooring fees apply. Contact the Harbour Office on 01843 572100 or portoframsgate@thanet.gov.uk
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  • Birchington
    • Beresford Gap, Birchington
      • Launching facilities are not part of the water user group. Launching facilities for speed boats, jet skis and waterskiing are designated for members of the Beresford Water Ski Club only.
      • Please contact Leigh Flockhart at leighflockhart@hotmail.com or 07808 232011
  • Westbrook
    • Westbrook/Barnes Car Park

Launching permitted for speed boats and water skiing

  • Cliftonville
    • Foreness Bay, Cliftonville
    • Launching permitted for fishing boats, speed boats and water skiing.
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