FISHING has been banned on property belonging to the company operating the Sandbanks Ferry.

The Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company has announced a new byelaw, they say has been designed to protect the wellbeing and safety of ferry passengers and staff.

Fishermen are often spotted on the ferry slipway and surrounds, casting into the harbour.

Now, they may find themselves subject to a penalty of up to £500.

While ferry bosses insist the majority of fishermen and cyclists do behave responsibly, they say the behaviour of some individuals has created "avoidable risk".

The byelaw also bans the riding of bicycles on the ferry or its slipways, with the same penalty in force.

Cyclists using the ferry service are requested to dismount and walk with their bicycles on the ferry slipways and the ferry itself.

Jason duToit, general manager of the Sandbanks Ferry Company, said: “The introduction of this byelaw will assist in maintaining the highest levels of safety for all those who travel with or work on the ferry.

“We operate in a particularly challenging environment across a very busy stretch of water, particularly in the summer months when the area is often packed with tourists. Therefore, using the ferry or its slipways to fish from or to cycle on can be highly hazardous to public safety.

“The vast majority of people who fish in the locality, or who use our service to cross with their bicycles, take a very responsible approach and follow the guidance of our staff.

"The byelaw is in place to help our staff enforce public safety in those instances where individuals’ behaviour is creating avoidable risk.”