Swimmers have been left furious after a council banned parking near a popular tidal pool.
Drivers leaving vehicles on a stretch of the promenade at Hodges Gap by Walpole Bay Tidal Pool in Cliftonville, Margate, now risk a fine of up to £1,000.
Following a huge backlash, Thanet District Council has said fixed penalty notices will only be issued when vehicles are “parked irresponsibly and block access for emergency vehicles”.
But KentOnline understands the new signs – which clearly say “no parking” – are set to remain, leaving local swimmers worried that the rules are unclear and people will be deterred from using the pool.
The signs say: “You are in an area controlled by a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
“Parking cars, campervans or caravans in this area on the promenade is unauthorised.
“If you do not comply, you may receive a £100 fixed penalty notice or face prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.”
Barbara Palmer, who is part of the Walpole Bay Dippers group, says the pool is a “lifeline” for many people.
Groups such as Mental Health Swims Margate use the facility regularly.
The 73-year-old told KentOnline: “It’s a highly valuable resource, not just for those of us who are able-bodied, but for people who have disabilities or various issues in their lives that mean swimming for them at the pool is a lifeline to their mental and physical well-being.
“Just saying, ‘Nobody can park there, you’ve all got to go and park somewhere else’, is taking a sledgehammer to crack a walnut.”
She says banning vehicles would make using the pool impossible for disabled people.
While the stretch of promenade is not an official council-owned car park, it has been used “de facto” by vehicles for many years.
TDC says the signage was put in due to an increase in inconsiderate parking.
The powers are being enforced through a Thanet Beaches and Coast PSPO, which prohibits obstruction of the promenade, including vehicles or driving of vehicles.
Ms Palmer has called it a “misuse of power”, adding: “Look, on a busy, sunny weekend in the summer, it gets very busy down there.
“You get a few people who sort of misbehave, perhaps have had a bit too much to drink.
“We’re aware that there’s probably drug taking going on down there overnight.
“But, all of these things are fairly minor when you compare them to the positive impact of being able to get down there unhindered and freely.
“Now that TDC has backpedalled, we need to see that they are doing what they said they would, which we support, and will be monitoring and reporting to them as necessary.”
Another swimmer, Julie Packer, had similar sentiments.
She said: “I have been using this pool for just over a year now. I have joint issues that I have had for many years and have finally found something that helps me.
“This has made a massive improvement to my life as well as my mental health, and I am so unhappy about the new enforcement.
“It doesn’t feel right to be getting changed at the roadside and come winter, when you just need to get layers on as soon as exiting the pool to avoid hypothermia, it’s going to prove problematic.
“I am not against even paying to park as I am generally only there for 60 to 90 minutes.”
Cllr Barry Manners contacted TDC bosses, appealing for “common sense” over the new enforcement.
He explained: “The area next to the tidal pool has been used as a de facto car park for decades.
“The council should monetise the car park to raise some much-needed funds, but banning all parking has really upset residents.”
A TDC spokeswoman said recent bad parking had been limiting essential access to emergency services and council vehicles.
They added: “Thanet District Council’s Beaches and Coast Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has been in place since 2021.
“It gives enforcement officers the ability to issue fixed penalty notices when vehicles are parked on promenades and owners refuse to move them.
“At Walpole Bay, the council will only issue fixed penalty notices in instances where vehicles are parked irresponsibly and block access for emergency vehicles.
“We are currently looking at options for longer-term solutions for parking at Walpole Bay.”
The tidal pool is thought to be the UK’s biggest.
Plans are in place as part of the Margate Town Deal to build a lift from the clifftop to the beach.
They also plan to put in a cafe and changing facilities for swimmers.
