IT IS finally summer and with a heatwave predicted for the end of the month, it won't be long until our coastline is covered with visitors.
If you are coming to Cornwall or need a refresh on some of the rules of our area then look no further.
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The rules all visitors need to know:
Dogs on the beach:
Rules prohibiting dogs from accessing a number of beaches came into force at the start of the month, running all the way through until the end of summer.
Dogs are permitted on nearly all beaches in Cornwall from 1 October to 30 April (except Copperhouse Pool and Carnsew Pool).
The rest of the year, dogs are only permitted on beaches listed as dog-friendly beaches.
When you take your dog onto the beach they must be supervised and under control at all times and any fouling must be cleared immediately.
Find the full list of the dog friendly beaches and those with bans here.
Car parking
All visitors to the area are asked to park responsibly. Parking wardens are in operation across the year and the number of attendants is increased during the summer months to crackdown on illegal parking.
Cars parked on double yellow lines, causing an obstruction or blocking access may be towed.
Swimming zones and what the flags mean
The RNLI now patrol over 200 beaches around the UK and provide a beach lifeguarding service. This is not only on Council owned beaches in Cornwall but also on a number of beaches in the County that are privately owned.
The main lifeguard season runs from May to September. However, this does vary from beach to beach.
Look for the red and yellow flags on the beach these are designated swim areas, please swim between these flags if you wish to be supervised by life guards.
The red flag means lifeguards strongly advise against swimming due to dangerous conditions or water quality issues.
The orange flag is flown when the wind is blowing off shore, this could send you out to sea rapidly. Please do not use inflatables when you see the orange “no inflatables” flag.
Swim buoys are located in the water in a box formation to define the swim zone. They are circular, yellow and say Swim Area.
Littering and recycling
People are asked to please recycle or dispose of their litter in the bins provided along Cornwall's beaches.
The council provide over 4,700 litter/dog waste bins across Cornwall.
These are regularly emptied and should never be overflowing so there is no excuse for rubbish to become litter.
In cases of littering the normal course of action will be to offer a notice of opportunity to pay a fixed penalty of £150.
BBQs
Although most barbecues present no problems, there have been examples of fires, serious injuries and deaths caused by the use of flammable liquids or sitting barbecues too close to fences, garden sheds, buildings or trees.
Cornwall Council ask that if there are no BBQ bins on the beach, people dispose of them by leaving them to go cold before taking them away with you.
Please do not leave them on the beach or burying them.
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