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THE BEACH and WATERFRONT
GETTING THE BEST OUT OF MERSEA BEACH


Colchester Borough Council
owns and manages the the section of the beach from Seaview Avenue to Broomhills Road below the Esplanade

West Mersea Town Council
owns and manages the Monkey Beach
The beach below Beach Road and Grove Avenue along to the Monkey Steps is privately owned

Seashore Byelaws
A copy of Seashore Byelaws is available at the Council Offices in Melrose Road - West Mersea

Set out below are just a few Guidelines taken from the extensive byelaws for the seashore at Mersea

* No person shall sell or advertise tout or importune either verbally or by the distribution of handbills or adverts.

* No person shall break in a horse or other animal or negligently drive a horse or other animal in a race so as to cause danger or annoyance.

* No person shall light a fire - this byelaw shall not prevent the lighting of a properly constructed camping stove or cooker.

* Fishing no person shall fish to the danger or obstruction of others.

* Sandlines no sandlines shall be laid so as to cause danger to others.

* Bait Digging no person shall dig for bait within the restricted area.
It shall be a defence to any prosecution brought under these byelaws for a defendent to prove that digging for bait was done for purposes other than commercial purposes.

REMEMBER - KEEP TO THE 8 KNOT SPEED LIMIT WITHIN 250m OF THE SHORE


If you need any further information regarding the beach please contact:
Leisure Services
Colchester Borough Council
PO Box 331
Town Hall
Colchester CO1 1GL
Telephone 01206 282947

GUIDANCE NOTES FOR CRABBING ON THE FLOATING PONTOON

WHEN CRABBING THINK SAFE AND BE SAFE

You may crab from the Pontoon in certain areas as long as you follow the following guidance:-
Remember that the Pontoon is a working quay for boats

You may crab along the pontoon from the shore to the Hammerhead section of the Pontoon. This is shown by crossed yellow hatching

When crabbing do not dangle your legs over the side of the Pontoon

At great cost to the taxpayer - a
NEW PONTOON HAS NOW REPLACED THE OLD ONEl Please take care on the new Pontoon - it is quite "lively" - a special crabbing place has been provided - but be careful
Keep a look out for boats trying to land on the Pontoon
so you can move when necessary

The Pontoon sections that lead to the Hammerhead
can be busy with trolleys and boats being pushed
up and down. Please be aware of this and move out of the way
to ease safe passage

Picnics and deckchairs are not allowed on the Pontoon

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Beach Patrol
BEACH WATCH

Beach Hut Watch organises patrols of member's beach huts in West Mersea - reporting damage to owners and the Police. It liaises with local Police on crime prevention matters and with local councils and other parties to maintain and enhance beach amenities and th environment. Chairman - Cllr Henry Spyvee
We patrol the huts regularly throughout the year, checking the huts are secure anmd looking for signs of vandalism or weather damage, reporting back to owners through our own membership details or through Colchester Borough Council to non members.
If you discover damage to any of the huts please telephone Colchester Borough Council on 01206 282911
Any information connected with offences against beach huts should be forwarded to WEst Mersea Police Office - Tel 01206 382930 or leave a message via Colchester Police - Station Number 01206 762212



Windsurfers
BATHING WATER QUALITY

During the bathing season from May to September the NRA - the National Rivers Authority regularly samples the bathing water in Mersea. This is carried out in accordance with the European Community Bathing Water Directive. The results are available to the general public.

The EEC Directive sets quality standards for bathing waters in all countries in the EEC. These quality standards are for a number of substances - the most important of these relate to the Coliform group of bacteria. In general these can be taken as an indication of the amount of sewage pollution present.

All results are held on a public register and may be seen at the Council Offices or at the regional NRA office. There are three categories - Poor - Good and Excellent. The Bathing Water in Mersea is rated currently as EXCELLENT.




Little Blue Beach Hut
BEACH HUT SAFETY

There are some precautions you can take to protect your Beach hut.
Ensure a strong lock is fitted, especially on the lower half of the door where it could easily be kicked off.
When left for long periods, consider securing a board over the entrance doors and windows.
Repair any loose or broken cladding.
Arrange for your beach hut to be checked regularly when not in use
Ensure rubbish is cleared from underneath or to the side.
LPG cylinders can be dangerous to Firefighters - disconnect when not in use and remove from beach hut over the winter period.
If you require any further fire safety advice please contact
Colchester and Tendring Community Command on 01206 574255

Watch out!
Don't float out!
GETTING THE BEST OUT OF THE BEACH

Tips for everyone at Mersea Beach
Mersea Beach is used by thousands of people for many leisure activities - sometimes these activities overlap causing safety hazards and frustration - so please be aware of other beach and water users and respect their right to safety AND
Take Litter Home or use Bins provided
Do not allow children to climb on Beach Huts
Choose the location for playing ball games, flying kites or listening to the radio carefully - as they can cause annoyance
Ensure that children who dig holes in the sand do so in a position which doesn't present a risk to others
REMEMBER THE SEA CAN BE DANGEROUS
Tips for Swimmers
Be sure you can be seen and voided by users of water craft
If you like to swim under water wear a marker or swim with a friend
Be aware that people learning water sports may not be very skilful - so keep well clear
MERSEA HAS STRONG TIDES AND SOMETIMES STRONG WINDS - RUBBER CRAFT AND OTHER INFLATEABLES CAN BE CARRIED OUT TO SEA VERY QUICKLY
Tips for Animal Owners
Use a pooperscoop to clear up after your dog and leave the waste in the dog bins provided
Keep dogs on a lead on the beach
Horse riders should keep below the high water line
Tips for Windsurfers, Kitesurfers Dinghy Sailors and Canoeists
Keep well clear of swimmers and bathing platforms
Please do not park or set up your gear in the spaces in the car park reserved for disabled people
Avoid leaving your gear unattended, but if this is unavoidable, ensure it is in a safe position relative to the wind direction and other beach users
Tips for owners of Power Driven Water Craft and Jet Skis
Always be on the look out and keep well clear of swimmers and water craft
Remember that POWER GIVES WAY TO SAIL
Remember that if you launch from a holiday park your voat should be registered under the voluntary Boat Registration Scheme
REMEMBER KEEP TO THE 8 KNOT SPEED LIMIT WITHIN 250M OF THE SHORE


Most of all
Have Fun!