Beachgoers reminded to dispose of own litter

News imageGetty Images The image shows a boardwalk and beach with cafes and restaurants on seafront; an overturned white boat can also be seen on the rocks.Getty Images
More than 20 tonnes of rubbish was collected over the May Bank Holiday weekend

Beachgoers are being reminded to dispose of their litter as a council says its seafront has been "swamped with discarded rubbish at peak times".

With warmer temperatures forecast, Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) said it was expecting an influx of people at the beach.

It is urging visitors to use bins to avoid "mammoth piles of waste" and "potential harm to the local environment", after more than 20 tonnes was cleared from the seafront in May.

Councillor Tim Rowkins, cabinet member for net zero and environmental services, said: "Nobody enjoys cleaning up after a party, but if everyone takes responsibility for their own waste, we can keep our seafront looking its iconic best."

He added that "huge numbers" of people came to Brighton and Hove when the weather was good.

"We don't want that to change - it is part of what makes our city such a vibrant place," Rowkins said.

BHCC also said that despite an increased number of seafront collection teams and van groups clearing side waste next to full bins, additional measures had not reduced the amount of rubbish at peak times during the day.

The local authority suggested that if bins were full, people should take their rubbish with them.

"The reality is that when we are left with so much rubbish on our seafront there is not only a cost to the council, but the potential for plastic and other waste to find its way into our marine environment," Rowkins added.

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