Portsmouth City Council has decided not to lift the dog ban on Southsea Beach, saying it could cause “community tensions” and be hard to enforce.
The council had asked the public about two possible changes to the rules, which currently ban dogs on the beach between Southsea Castle and the Royal Marines Yomper Statue from April 30 to September 30.
One idea was to allow dogs on the beach during the summer season at set times in the morning and evening.
The other was to move the eastern boundary of the exclusion zone from the Yomper Statue to the Eastney Coffee Cup, which would open up more beach space for dog walkers.
Most people supported moving the boundary to the Coffee Cup. Councillor Matthew Winnington backed the proposal, saying the Yomper Statue is hard to see from the beach, which can confuse dog owners.
However, fewer people supported allowing dogs on the beach during the summer. While 58 per cent were in favour, 67 per cent of total survey respondents were dog owners or walkers.
Meanwhile, 53 per cent of non-dog owners were strongly against the idea.
Cllr Steve Pitt, leader of the council, pointed out that it would be hard to enforce without a dedicated patrol team. He added: “It could swiftly erode confidence amongst beach users” potentially leading to “community tensions”.
“Additionally we’ve consulted officers and no other coastal local authority within an hour’s travel time of Portsmouth has such a policy in place we are concerned that this could lead to a significant increase in dog owners travelling into the city from other areas in the summer upsetting the current balance and placing an even greater burden on the need for effective enforcement.
“The administration intends to trial a seafront Patrol during the next bathing season to assist with public information around all the dues and notes across the area helping to ensure that the needs of all sea front users are balanced.”
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