Bid to ban alcohol from Cullercoats Bay halted

Jul 4 2009 by Sonia Sharma, The Journal

PLANS to ban alcohol from a beach have been halted after several objections were lodged against the proposal. It was hoped the alcohol exclusion zone would be in place at Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside, in May – in time for the busy summer season.

North Tyneside Council published legal notices of the scheme in the Press from March. If no objections had been received, a new order prohibiting the drinking of alcohol on the beach would have been in place from May 1.

But the authority was sent six objections, which means the matter must go through an extended legal process before a final decision is made.

Residents in Cullercoats, who put together a 1,200-name petition calling for a ban on drinking at the bay, say they are disappointed the order has not been made and fear the warm weather may lead to disorder in the area.

One resident said: “We have been having really good weather these past few days. The hot days are bringing out more people to the coast. It is only a matter of time before something serious happens. Every summer people come to the beach carrying bottles of booze and when they get drunk they get into all sorts of bother, making life a misery for families living in Cullercoats. We have children and we too want to enjoy the coastline. But we should not have to put up with drunken disorder.”

A council spokesman said: “We have successfully introduced dozens of alcohol exclusion zones within the borough. No objections were received in relation to any of them when they were proposed, which meant they all could be approved under delegated powers within a relatively short period of time.

“However, we have received several objections to the proposed alcohol exclusion zone at Cullercoats. This has meant the matter has had to go through an extended legal process so it can be placed before a forthcoming meeting of the regulation and review committee for consideration.”

If the ban is approved, anyone caught drinking at the site will be ordered to stop by the police or have their cans and bottles confiscated.

Failure to comply with the order could result in a £50 fine, arrest or even a fine of up to £500 if a person is prosecuted.