Dismay at warnings against sea swimming

Viking Bay in Broadstairs was closed to swimmers on Saturday and Sunday

Residents and business owners have expressed their dismay at warnings not to swim in the sea at some beaches in east Kent after heavy rain.

Environment Agency advice against bathing at Tankerton, Herne Bay, Deal Castle, Dymchurch and Littlestone remains in force, but was lifted at West Bay, Westgate-on-Sea, and Margate Fulsam Rock on Tuesday.

The latest warnings come after "a discharge of storm waste water by Southern Water" which closed 14 beaches in Thanet on Saturday, according to Thanet District Council.

Councillor Mike Garner, Mayor of Broadstairs, said "the uncertainty is not good for local business and the environment".

He told BBC Radio Kent: "It can have a potentially serious impact because it puts day trippers off from visiting and the businesses can't rely on a regular flow of tourists.

"It makes it very difficult for them to run a business, especially those that are directly linked to the beach like the cafes and the surf school, which is on the beach."

Alan Dolan runs West Bay Cafe and Finbar's Restaurant at West Bay, Westgate-on-Sea, which has had two different warnings against entering the sea since Saturday.

He said: "It seems that every time the kids get their summer holidays the beaches here are closed.

"It's really hard running a business anyway but to have the continual uncertainty of whether it's safe to swim in the sea is crushing."

June Wright said she was not taking her dog on the beach at West Bay, Westgate

Westgate resident June Wright said: "I'm not taking my dog along the beach as I don't want him going in the sea and getting ill from the pollution."

Another resident, Judi Asbury, said: "We live in a lovely place and to not be able to go in the sea just isn't right."

Sammy Jones said: "The water companies should cut back on shareholder dividends and repair our infrastructure first."

Ian Derbyshire from Broadstairs swims in the sea every day.

He said: "The pollution warnings don't bother me.

"I haven't become ill from taking a dip."

A Southern Water spokesperson said: "We share the public's desire for cleaner rivers and seas.

"We are investing heavily and working hard to enhance quality, including a £1.5bn clean rivers and sea plan designed to tackle storm overflow."