Barbecues face ban on hundreds of British beaches 'because they make the sand hot'

Cornwall Council is exploring the prospect of a complete ban on disposable barbecues across its beaches amid fears they make the sand "dangerously hot".

Thalia Marrington, the council's cabinet member for community safety, confirmed that officials have begun examining whether a public spaces protection order could be used to curtail their use.

The matter was raised at a wellbeing scrutiny meeting on September 10 by Councillor James Mustoe, who has campaigned on the issue before.

Mr Mustoe questioned whether the time had come for an outright ban on single-use barbecues, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are legal instruments available to local authorities that let them prohibit or limit particular activities within designated areas, much like existing dog restrictions on certain beaches.

Kevin Brader, the council's head of public protection, confirmed that discussions with Cornwall Fire Service over a PSPO were already under way.

A significant "stakeholder consultation" would be required before any order could be imposed, Mr Brader said.

The council has already contacted several of Cornwall's major landowners to seek their opinions on the proposal.

Any order introduced would initially run for three years, with the possibility of renewal following further consultation.

On August 14, the Government issued an emergency alert to millions of mobile phones across the country, warning the public about the dangers of fire.

Councillor Brian Clemens, who works in retail, told the meeting he had immediately removed all disposable barbecues from sale once the fire risk became apparent.

"It's a bit unfortunate because a lot of the disposable barbecues we sell are used at home, but I think if things are going to continue like this I would certainly support a total ban as somebody who sells them," he said.

NANNY STATE BRITAIN? READ THE LATEST:

• Fish and chips BANNED from schools as Labour orders pupils to eat lentils and chickpeas every week
• 'Churchill would be turning in his grave!' Cigars could vanish from UK shelves under new crackdown
• Richard Tice slams 'nanny state' Net Zero study which could use smart meters to curb YOUR heating

Mr Mustoe highlighted two key concerns - the direct risk of fire and the danger posed by barbecues that have been discarded beneath the sand.

He said he was worried about cases "where barbecues have been buried and caused injuries by making the sand dangerously hot".

Speaking to the LDRS, Mr Mustoe pointed to broader national efforts to temporarily restrict sales and use of single-use barbecues during the summer months.

"Given the national moves around temporarily restricting the sale and use of single use barbecues over the summer due to the wildfires that have been caused, I think that now is the time for Cornwall Council to look at this again," he said.

Mr Mustoe added that he was pleased "this is being closely considered as a future option".

Last month, Andy Burnham announced a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues saying they pose a "significant risk to the public" during drought and heatwave conditions.

Speaking on the ban, the Prime Minister said: "We ask retailers to implement the ban in full until further notice."

He urged the country to "face up" to the "changing climate" and to transition to "more clean energy".

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter