A seaside promenade was left looking like a ‘bomb site’ after thousands of people flocked to the coast this weekend.
With the sun finally shining on Kent, the beach in Folkestone was full.
But this morning, disposable barbecue grills, crates of beer and glass bottles were left on the sidewalks as seagulls foraged among the rubbish.
Folkestone resident Liam Godfrey, who took photos of the mess, told KentOnline: “It’s absolutely terrible.
“I’ve lived here for seven years and this is the worst thing I’ve ever seen with the nest.
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“I was at the beach yesterday and it was packed. It was amazing and it’s really nice to see it after the horrible weather we’ve had.
“I really love seeing our city come alive and people enjoying themselves, but come on, it’s like a bomb site.
“They are from out of town, but the disrespect they have shown is outrageous. They come down, park, don’t go into town and don’t really contribute to the local economy and just leave their shit behind.”
With warmer weather finally arriving, Godfrey fears similar scenes could happen every weekend this summer.
“This is a warning of what is to come,” he said.
“The disrespect is off the charts and it really grinds my gears. Take your waste with you.
“Yesterday was probably the first day of summer and it’s wonderful to see so many people on the beach, but to think that it can stay like this. What goes through people’s minds?
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“We pay the council tax and ensure that it is cleaned up, but it cannot continue like this.”
Speaking about how the problem can be solved, Mr Godfrey says he believes people should be fined for not disposing of their waste properly.
He also says a ‘beach pass’ could help, so that people have to pay to visit the beach and therefore contribute to cleaning costs.
“I was frustrated and angry that these people were not treating our city with any respect. It creates negative feelings,” he says.
“Folkestone relies on the summer trade – it dies in the winter – so I love seeing it so busy. But then you come out the next morning and think, what the hell went wrong?
It’s not the first time litter has covered pavements in Folkestone. Last June, a huge watermelon, a beach chair and aluminum picnic plates were among the rubbish left behind at the popular seaside spot after a sunny weekend.
Dog walkers told how they had to pick up their puppies and carry them over the rubbish, and one disgruntled waste picker, Stephen West, said he was shocked by the amount of rubbish along the Upper and Lower Leas.
A spokesperson for Folkestone and Hythe District Council said: “It’s sad to see people leaving unnecessary rubbish behind, but this particular photo shows why leaving bags full of rubbish next to bins isn’t as useful as you might think.
“This encourages seagulls to tear them down and leave a terrible mess behind, which has a negative impact on residents and visitors, as well as the environment and wildlife that call Folkestone & Hythe home. So if the bins are full or your waste doesn’t fit in them, take it home.
“We are providing extra cleaning resources throughout the summer season and for the upcoming Armed Forces Day event organized by Folkestone Town Council. This is in addition to the additional bulk containers introduced at hotspot locations since April and our e-bike to assist with collections in hard-to-reach areas along the coast.
“But these measures will only be successful if people are attentive to disposing of their waste along the way.”