Following their success in recent years, Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn has kept to her promise of bringing back the wardens for summer 2016.
As visitors flock to the coast, their job will be to work with the council’s year-round community and public spaces protection team to make sure the beaches are clean, safe and well-maintained.
The team of four will also work closely with the RNLI lifeguards, Northumbria Police, local businesses and residents to help deal with any potential problems or incidents.
Speaking about the return of the team, Mayor Redfearn said: “Since we introduced the beach wardens two summers ago, I have received many positive comments from residents, visitors and local business owners.
“I am delighted to be bringing back the team on the request of local people.
“Like so many of our residents, we are immensely proud of our coastline and it’s really important that it remains a top attraction for all to enjoy, and the wardens will help to ensure it does.”
The wardens have powers to issue fixed penalty notices to those who fail to fail to clean-up after their dogs or leave litter.
They’ll also help to enforce the local beach byelaws – which includes a dog ban on King Edward’s Bay, Longsands (south), Cullercoats Bay and Whitley Bay (south) during the summer months – as well as reminding people of the beach code of conduct.
The beach code of conduct is:
Please:
- Take litter home with you or use the bins provided
- Take heed of the dog byelaws, which includes a dog ban on force on Whitley Bay (south), Cullercoats Bay, Longsands (south) and King Edward’s Bay during the summer months
- Reduce, re-use or recycle your waste
- Observe the safety flags and beach signage at all times
- Take only photographs, leave only footprints
Please do not:
- Take glass on the beach
- Leave disposable BBQs on the beach
- Make fires on the beach
- Camp on the beach
- Drive on the beach – unauthorised vehicles are not permitted