Southend: Two beaches to be dog-friendly all year

Under current rules, dogs are not permitted on any Southend beach between May 1 and September 30.

However, if a new scheme gets the go ahead, dogs will be able to splash about in the sea and play in the sand on a section of Shoebury’s East Beach and on Two Tree Island in Leigh all year.

A public consultation in November 2020 saw 58 per cent of residents support a dedicated area for dogs.

Now another consultation is proposed to gauge support for the two locations, including an area at the east end of East Beach next to the boom.

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for environment, culture, tourism and planning, said: “I think it shows that we have listened to what people have been saying.

“We’ve listened to the people who asked for this facility to be available.

“We had to take into account that we have seven miles of beach and many are getting very crowded so we have to think of other people’s needs and not just dog walkers.

“It is very important that this doesn’t interfere with our Blue Flag beaches or the visitors who come in their droves in the summer months.

“We also thought it was no good just having one dog friendly beach in Shoebury because that would mean people travelling there from Leigh. We thought it was fairer to have access at either end of the borough.”

A report to councillors by Scott Dolling, director of culture and tourism, said the two beaches had been identified as the best locations, It said: “It is proposed to consult on promoting two areas, one in the east and one in the west to focus dog friendly beaches.

“The consultation will propose that Two Tree Island in the west of the borough and a section of East Beach will also be marked and promoted as dog friendly.

“The area of East Beach will be separated from the Blue Flag award section as it would otherwise compromise this award. Foreshore staff will monitor and report back on the positive and negative impacts.”

Councillors will discuss the plans at cabinet on Tuesday.