EXISTING dog bans on Burnham-on-Sea's main beach could be lifted as Sedgemoor District Council are reviewing dog control orders.

The current orders relating to dog control issues such as dog exclusion areas, dogs on leads and also dog fouling mean that dogs are currently excluded all year round from Burnham's main beach and excluded from other parts of the beach for part of the year.

The review comes after existing orders relating to dog control issues are being replaced by Public Place Protection Orders under the Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 with the aim of the new orders being in place by October 2017.

A spokeswoman for Sedgemoor District Council released a statement.

"Sedgemoor District Council are currently in the process of reviewing Dog Control orders across Sedgemoor District Council’s area to comply with new legislation.

"A suggestion has been made that in relation to the beach that the dog banning areas should be amended to take account of changes in seasonal beach use.

"It should be noted that it is still an offence not to pick up after your dog, even if you are in an area which does not have a dog ban.

"The suggested change is outlined below: "In the spring/summer, maintain the existing dog bans across all beaches which are enforced by beach wardens and dog wardens (1 May – 30 Sep).

In the winter, remove the ban on beach 1. This would allow dogs on all beaches from Oct 1 - April 30.

"This suggestion has come about for the following reasons: "1. Beach use drops in the winter months with the bad weather, shorter days etc.However, residents and visitors do like to exercise their dogs on the beach.

"2. During the winter, the current system can be unclear by having a banned area between two non-banned areas. Signage is only visible from the Esplanade and it is impossible to install significant numbers of signs on the actual beach as they will just be washed away by the tide. Consequently, people inadvertently stray into the banned areas without realising it.

"3. During the summer months, it is far practical to enforce the ban on the Beach as there are not only dog wardens, but beach wardens and staff on duty seven days a week who can issue Fixed Penalty Notices.

"SDC is consulting with the Town Council about the proposals."