Sunseekers face £100 fines for simple mistake at beaches across parts of Britain this summer

HOLIDAYMAKERS could face a £100 fine for this simple mistake during the summer months.

Brits heading south to Brighton during the warm weather have been warned that this summer activity has been banned – and they could be slapped with a penalty.

People who light a barbecue on a beach in Brighton this summer face a fine of up to £100.

The Green-run council has voted to ban disposable barbecues from all beaches in Brighton and Hove and from all parks and spaces owned by the local authority.

Anyone caught lighting a disposable barbecue after July 1 will be handed a Fixed Penalty Notice for £100.

The ban will also cover balloon and lantern releases in public spaces after public concerns over their effect on wildlife and the environment.

However, sunseekers will still be able to use stand-alone non-disposable barbecues on some beaches and parks.

The council said the move will help prevent global climate change by cutting the amount of CO2 released.

But last night critics branded the scheme “barmy” and said the council was acting like a “killjoy.”

One daytripper said: “It’s completely barmy to ban them completely.

“As long as they’re disposed of safely then what is the difference between a disposable one and non-disposable one?

“Getting industry in the city to dim the lights in all office blocks in any city for an hour will save more carbon than all the barbecues in the UK combined.”

Another said: “Yet more barmy ideas from a Green-led Council that is hell bent taking all the fun out of Brighton. It’s a killjoy council.

“Brighton has always been about fun and a place that is tolerant and welcoming to everyone. Banning barbecues is just silly.”

A resident said it was a “punitive” step against those who lived in bedsits and flats and had no outside space.

But some residents supported the plans saying too many disposable barbecues are left on the beach and blight the city.

The council consulted with residents with 79 per cent of respondents agreeing that single-use, disposable barbecues should not be permitted in or on council-owned parks, open-spaces or the seafront.   

‘BARMY’

They said they posed a dangerous fire risk and a risk of injury to people and animals, if not set up correctly, they can scorch and damage the environment around them.

One resident said: “I‘m very happy to see barbecues banned from the beaches as they smell dreadful.

“There are few things are more annoying when you have a nice spot on the beach and then people near you start a barbecue and the consequent irritating smoke and smell of food.”

Another said: “Best news I’ve heard in years. Smoke and stench from stinking barbecues spoil other peoples peaceful enjoyment.”

If an Environmental Enforcement Officer witnesses someone not complying with the ban, they can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice and will also be able to extinguish or seize the barbecue.   

Councillor Jamie Lloyd said: “Single-use, disposable barbecues are often used in our public spaces and not disposed of properly.  

“If left, they can cause serious injuries to children, adults and wildlife.  They can also cause fires at the waste depot, as we have seen in recent years.  

“It will help us eliminate the use of single-use, disposable barbecues and lanterns, ensuring that we are doing all we can to protect people and wildlife in our parks, open spaces and on the seafront, minimising the risk of both injury and fire.” 

Every year around 10million holidaymakers and day-trippers flock to Brighton and Hove with many enjoying a beer and a barbecue on the beach.

The tourism industry supports more than 20,000 jobs and brings in an estimated £850million to the city.