A ban advising beachgoers to stay away from a popular coastal stretch has returned - just one day after precautions were lifted.
Thanet District Council (TDC) says it has been made aware of “a dark-coloured organic matter” washed up along the north Thanet coast.
It is now urging people not to enter the shore at Westbrook, St Mildred’s Bay, West Bay and Minnis Bay beaches after a beachgoer found a substance described as “squidgy and smelling awful”.
They said it “looks like the result of a chemical spillage”.
A statement, released by the local authority shortly after 4pm this evening (May 30), said: “It is not oil. The material is odourless, leaves no residue and does not appear to be the same substance as previously found at Minnis Bay earlier this month.
“Signs are in place advising against bathing and recommending that beach users stay above the high water mark and to refrain from entering the sea.
“Dog owners are asked to keep their dogs on a lead at all times when on the beaches in these locations.
“We’ll continue to provide updates as the situation develops.”
It comes just one day after advice against bathing at Minnis Bay was lifted over a separate issue.
Pollution warnings were first issued there more than a week ago after reports thousands of dead ragworms, lugworms and shellfish were found on the shore.
The Environment Agency (EA) told seaside visitors to stay out of the water at Birchington-on-Sea and West Bay as a precaution.
However, the EA then lifted its advice against bathing at Minnis Bay and West Bay as well as St Mildred’s Bay, Westbrook and Margate.
Following test results on May 24, the agency declared test results showed “the material in the affected area is not toxic”.
Yet the council continued to advise against bathing at Minnis Bay due to the ongoing presence of residue from algae - until yesterday.
It is due to the naturally occurring bloom having an unpleasant odour and being able to cause skin irritation.
Business owners ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend spoke of their concerns about a lack of passing trade.
Tony Hobbs, who works at the West Bay Kiosk, said the lack of information has been damaging.
He told KentOnline there had been “no information” leading up to last weekend, adding: “I feel for the people who use the beach huts because hearing that the beach is closed causes them worry.
“Normally, even on a quiet day, I’d take about £ 80,but today, I’ll be lucky if I take £30.
“You lose punters because they don’t want to walk here, especially dog walkers because they aren’t allowed on the beach.”
