Normally every year after 1st May, all dogs are banned from Swanage’s main beach but not this year, to allow people to be socially distanced when walking their dog.
As a concession to the current situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Dorset Council has erected notices along the seafront announcing that it will not seek to enforce the local bylaws.
Must be kept on leads
From tomorrow, dogs may continue to be walked on the beach, owned by Swanage Town Council, but they must be kept on leads. As always, dog owners must hygienically dispose of any dog poo.
In a joint statement, taped to notice boards along Shore Road, Dorset Council and Swanage Town Council said:
“For the duration of the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, the normal restrictions regarding dogs on the beach from the 1st May 2020 will not be actively enforced.
“This will be subject to ongoing review and if there are breaches, this concession may be removed. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Shore Road will remain open
The 1st May also usually sees the closure of part of Shore Road in front of the beach huts, but this is also not happening, due to the restarting of the town centre construction works on Monday 4th May 2020.
With the closure of Institute Road to facilitate the work, Shore Road will remain open to traffic for the duration, to prevent Station Road becoming a one-way cul-de-sac.
