Wider issues involved

I WRITE regarding Rother District Council's proposed bye-laws. Your front page article faithfully represents the views of beach anglers both locally and nationally, but the issues go much wider than fishing.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Apr 2011, 09:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 21:27 BST

As well as affecting horse riders and kite surfers, they affect all of your readers who want to enjoy the beach, freely and responsibly.

Imagine the scene – you plan a family reunion and it coincides with a beautiful day.

You decide to use the beach, taking a barbecue.

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The younger members of the group want to take a guitar and the children want to play ball games.

Firstly, if there are more than 15 people, you have to get consent from the council. Second, you cannot play the guitar other than in a designated area as this would be a ‘performance’. You cannot light your barbecue until after 6pm.

If your children ‘annoy’ someone with their games, they are in breach of the new bye-laws. Do be careful that your windbreak does not exceed the permitted size; this too will land you in hot water, with a fine of up to £500.

These bye-laws have attracted negative attention from all over the UK not just because the area enjoys good fishing, but because the approach to managing the beach is so backward-looking.

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The council has not talked to anyone prior to writing the laws and point-blank refuses to talk to anyone now, other than through “consultation”.

The council wants to control what you do on the beach but will not tell you why It does not trust your good sense to enjoy the beach with due regard to the enjoyment of others. The minority who cannot behave should not limit what the majority can do.

We have asked the council what opportunity the public will have for an open meeting with the councillors that will make the final decision. In the meantime, we invite all readers to make their views known via Natasha Fielden at [email protected]. Also, please visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bexhill_beach_fishing_bye-law/ and sign the petition.

NEIL SMITH

Little Common Road

Bexhill