We live by one of the most famous UK beaches… our summer has been ruined by tourist ‘tent cities’ and fireworks
LOCALS living by one of the most famous UK beaches say their summer has been ruined by tourist “tent cities” and fireworks.
Despite a protection order coming in last summer to prevent campers, Chesil Beach, between Portland and West Bexington, Dorset, is still swarming with them.
The order was supposed to give officials the power to move illegal campers on or fine them if they fail to leave.
However, residents are fuming as they continue to report loud music and fireworks being let off at all hours.
One local resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It is a nightmare.
“One night we had fireworks going off at around midnight.
“We have had lots of loud music, fires close to shrubbery, and rubbish on the beach.
“They are also parking in front of the slipway which is an emergency access to the beach for the lifeboat.
“Nothing is going to be done until something really bad happens.”
Another said they constantly have problems with “disrespectful campers”.
They added: “We live in Abbotsbury and have had lots of problems with disrespectful campers.
“They literally do not care about the mess they leave behind. Some of them refuse to pay for parking and block the access road for people living there, it would be impossible for emergency services to get along there if needed.
“Some of these campers actually recently stole a picnic table which they just left there dumped on the beach.
“It’s about time something was done about this.”
Night fishermen are exempt from the “no camping” rule – but locals say sneaky campers take advantage of that.
Rob Pascoe, who has fished on the nearby lake for the last 50 years, said the groups are causing a lot of problems for the fishing community.
He said: “I have been fishing, frequently overnight, for over 50 years and like all considerate fishermen I have always removed any trace of my visits.
“I always take back more rubbish that I brought.
“The current situation, with often a great number of people forming mini cities of tents and shelters has become a real blight for genuine and considerate fishermen.”
Mark Roberts, a county councillor for the area, said it is “illegal” for people to camp on any beach in the area.
He said: “We have a constant battle with wild camping here every year.
“It is illegal for people to camp on any of the beaches from Burton Bradstock to beyond Abbotsbury.
“The area that has been a target for most of the campers has been to the east of West Bexington.
“It started during the pandemic and I’ve had people report that they’ve seen as many as 60 tents on the beach at one time.
“It is not okay to just turn up and camp on the beach.
“There are plenty of official campsites that have all the facilities, you cannot just assume the beach is available to stay on.
“For residents, I think they feel angry that these people are not paying to camp, so not contributing to the local economy and they are taking advantage.
“There’s a row of chalets behind the beach and a lot of the campers were using the gardens for human waste.”
Mr Roberts said when locals try and reports the problem they don’t get any “immediate action”.