Bournemouth MP Conor Burns's letter on social distancing fears

The Conservative MP has shared this letter on social distancing conerns with the Daily Echo.

'It is very, very clear that people have completely abandoned common sense'

You can read Mr Burns's full letter below

Dear Michael,

Social Distancing at Leisure Destinations

As the guidance doesn’t seem to sit with any specific Government department I wanted to raise my concerns on this issue with you, given your role in cross-Government coordination.

You will have seen reports in the national newspapers of the grossly overcrowded beaches of Bournemouth and Poole. The alarming number of people descending on the beach means that social distancing has gone completely out of the window, as has BCP Council’s ability to control parking anywhere near the beach as a means of limiting numbers.

• How many parking fines did BCP Council issue last week as visitors flocked to beaches?

Living on Bournemouth’s West Cliff, I have a perfect view along miles of the beach and for the last three weeks have with watched with horror and disbelief as the situation deteriorated. At one point during the weekend just passed [May 30 and 31], there were 35 cars with parking enforcement tickets on them on the road outside my own home.

Bournemouth beach on May 30. Picture: Sally Scruton

Whilst the Government’s advice is underpinned by the transmission rate, and on urging people to use their common sense as the lockdown eased, it is very, very clear from local experience this weekend in Bournemouth and Poole that people have completely abandoned common sense. Media reports, and the sheer number of cars present, suggest that huge numbers of those using our beach our visitors to the town rather than local people, who are as horrified as I am by the potential health risk of what is happening and who therefore avoid the coast and the cliff. Speaking personally, I have abandoned my own daily walk along the beach for that reason.

There are consequential issues such as massive piles of litter, fires in rubbish bins started by disposable barbecues and, although Council-run toilets are generally open, abuse of areas behind the beach by people who need to relive themselves, all of which are making life for my constituents very unpleasant, and adding to the pressure on the Council and its employees.

• 'It is disgusting': Angry beach hut owners speak out over people going to toilet behind their huts
• Fire service called to 52 bonfire and BBQ fires in just 12 HOURS

My constituents are very conscious that we in the South West region and in Bournemouth and Poole specifically have been blessed by very low numbers of COVID-19 infections and deaths. I pay tribute to all of those who have followed the guidance in order to keep themselves and their neighbours safe.

Just as the lockdown is eased and local people are given the freedom to venture out of doors whilst continuing to maintain social-distancing, they now find thousands of visitors on their doorstep, many from areas with a higher transmission rate of the disease, which they fear will put their own wellbeing at risk.

• Why health officials don't want us to panic over the south west R rate rising to one

Perhaps Government needs to discourage this irresponsible behaviour? If localised outbreaks of COVID-19 will generate a localised response as we move to future stages of our Recovery Strategy, perhaps we might consider operating a localised approach to guidance for leisure destinations such as Bournemouth and Poole, in the interests of the safety and wellbeing of local residents.

I would welcome your comments.

Yours ever

Conor Burns