Calls to ban dogs on Hunstanton to Snettisham shingle ridge

Now there are calls to ban man's best friend from parts of a seven-mile stretch of beach.

West Norfolk councillors have called for measures to be brought in to stop dogs from digging up the shingle ridge - a key flood defence protecting thousands of homes between Hunstanton and Snettisham.

It follows warnings from Environment Agency (EA) experts that it is under threat of being eroded due to human activity.

In a recent report, officials urged for access to be restricted along some parts of the beach to protect the shoreline.

The feature forms the primary flood defence along the low-lying coastline, which is vulnerable to tidal surges.

The shingle ridge at Heacham (Image: Chris Bishop)

At a West Norfolk Council environment and community panel meeting, members met with EA officials to discuss the future of the flood defences in west Norfolk.

READ MORE: Five issued with warnings for digging into shingle bank

Sandra Squire, West Norfolk Council cabinet member for environment and coastal (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Sandra Squire, cabinet member for environment and coastal, said: "We need to encourage people to avoid walking and damaging the shingle ridge.

"This should also include dogs as people often allow their dogs to dig into the [ridge].

"This is also damaging and people need to be responsible for their own actions."

Signs could soon be placed along the beach telling people to avoid stepping upon the ridge in a bid to stop further damage.

A sign at Heacham Beach warns of the flooding risk (Image: Chris Bishop)

An EA official, Phil Hulme, hopes discouraging walkers will prevent damage to the vegetation which helps maintain its structure.

The shingle ridge has become a controversial topic in the last 12 months amid a probe into the state of the defences.

The defences protect thousands of caravans and holiday homes (Image: Chris Bishop)

The EA has concluded that a trigger point has been reached, meaning beach recharges costing £5m to £8m will not go ahead in the future due to the costs being no longer viable.

However, the report concluded that the ridge is in good condition and has actually been growing naturally. 

Property owners in Heacham are also being watched by EA officers amid concerns they are digging into the shingle ridge to get a better view across the Wash.