Visiting Southport - beware of local rules in park
First of all I hope this doesn’t get moved to the dog thread, yes it’s about dogs, but not on sites. It’s a cautionary tale about what can happen if you break the very strong rules on walking dogs in some of Southport’s parks...even if you don’t know they exist.
We visit the Southport site a few times each year, it’s only just over an hour’s drive, has a perfect location and we like Southport.
Leaving the site on Tuesday we called at Hesketh Park on the way home thinking we could have a walk and some lunch. Never been before so parked up on the road and used the side entrance to the park.
Being responsible dog owners we had her on the lead and checked the noticeboard at the entrance...it said ‘dogs off lead zone’ so we let her off. We saw 2 people on the path, said ‘good morning and wandered down to the lake some 25 yards away. Immediately we were approached by a man in uniform who said he was an enforcement officer and ‘read us our right’, told us the interview was being filmed and then issued us with a Fixed Penalty Notice for £75 (reduced to a bargain rate of £50 if we pay within 10 days).
Although we explained we had never been before, had been in the park 5 minutes and had checked the notice for rules on walking dogs he would not listen. He did however tell us there was a map by the cafe.... useless if you don’t come in through that gate. We retraced our steps back to the entrance to see if we had overlooked the signs, we hadn’t, there were none at all, no notices, no maps, no posts, nothing, so I took photos of the noticeboard, videod the route and emailed the council.
They refuse to rescind it, say the penalty was correctly issued and when the rule was introduced it was publicised widely in local newspapers, not much use if you aren’t a local. Apparently dogs are allowed off lead in the park but have to be on a 2 metre lead in certain areas (picnic and what are termed ‘family’ areas) but if they don’t tell you when you are crossing the zones how is that fair?.
Looks like I will have to pay up, it’s either that or go to Magistrates Court and risk a bigger fine, costs and a criminal record. So if you’re visiting Southport and thinking of walking your dog in a local park do a bit of research first....or maybe not visit at all. It’s put me off and I’ve had 2 sleepless nights since.
Moderator Edit:
I can appreciate your train of thought in not posting this in the "Dogs and touring" thread but your post is specifically aimed at people visiting Southport.
I hope that members visiting the town don't fall foul of the local by-laws but I'm locking the thread to make it for information only.
Thanks for the information.
Comments
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This is an extremely unfair practice, I would suggest seeking further advice first before paying, there is the CAB perhaps? or take it higher with the local council using all the records you have taken so far.
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As with all laws, ignorance is no defence.
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I don't think its unfair for dogs to be on a lead in family areas and picnic areas of public spaces
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Stand your ground and send an email to the council again, adviseing again of the situation and informing them again of lack of adequate notices with a copy to chief executive of council, it would not suprise me if the "enforcement officer"was on commission from a contractor employed by the council
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Thanks for the heads up, Ann.
They obviously hope you will pay the reduced fine and not have time to take it further.
Have you done any internet searches looking for similar cases in Southport? You may turn up some info, you never know. A letter to the local paper pointing out the failing of the council in not providing adequate signage might find its way into print.
Only you can decide whether to pay up and put the episode behind you or to involve yourself in further stress by fighting it.
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But the poster states that there was no notice that she was entering the picnic or family areas. I would go to a free solicitors advice appointment as this is what's happening all over the UK so councils can rake in a fortune in fines. I would even get in touch with the BBC's watchdog.
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