A ban on barbecues, massive bins to deal with litter and wardens directing traffic away from the seafront are all part of the plans to prevent a repeat of last summer's chaos on part of the Kent coast.

Visitors flocked to Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh when Covid restrictions were loosened in August and caused several issues including damage to the coastline, fires, parking problems, littering, build up of rubbish, dog fouling and one huge illegal beach party, that led to 'chaos'.

Scenes of the illegal beach party last August

Many fines were handed out in 2020 for anti-social behaviour, including one man who was discovered urinating in the coastal park.

Fears have now been raised over how prepared the council is this time.

The topic was brought to light by town councillor Mary Lawes, at Folkestone and Hythe District Council's (FHDC) latest question and answer session.

In response, FHDC said steps had been taken to ensure things go more smoothly after the towns were "inundated with visitors" last summer.

Cabinet member for enforcement, regulatory services, waste and building control, Cllr Stuart Peall said the district experienced "a massive increase in visits from tourists" in 2020, which resulted in issues at the Warren, Lower Leas coastal park, Sunny Sands and the beaches on the Marsh such as at Greatstone, Littlestone, Dymchurch and St Mary’s Bay.

He said: "In anticipation once again of the expected larger than normal visitor numbers for this year, officers have been working as a cross organisation group to discuss lessons learnt, and the steps that will be put in place for this summer to minimise disruption for our residents across the district."

He said the authority was working with the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership in regards to the Warren, and additional large capacity bins will be installed to cope with the extra rubbish. Clean-up initiatives will also take place in the area.

Barbecues will continue to be banned in the Lower Leas coastal park - which was introduced in 2020 - and its car park will be closed from 8pm to 8am to "prevent overnight parking and reduce late night anti-social behaviour".

Signs will once again point visitors away from the seaside and instead to town centre car parks and the harbour arm car park which will be open 24/7.

This follows last year's issue of roads near the seafront being blocked by inconsiderate parking and emergency vehicles being unable to get through. The council also had to hire security to monitor one car park, after some vehicles became trapped in the lot.

Cllr Peall added: "Park keepers will be operating seven days a week to educate visitors and to ensure the park is clean.

"The new large capacity 1,100 litre bins and the existing big belly compactor bins should help alleviate some of the littering issues.

"One of the problems we had last year was people leaving rubbish beside the bins rather than putting it into the bins which seemed to lead to people copying.

"I would always say use the big belly compactor bins which are rarely full and we are told when they are full."

Cllr Peall said the council's grounds maintenance, enforcement and parking teams would "continue to work together" with the wider community safety partnership to have a "coordinated and targeted response to issues as and when they arise".

He said FHDC already has "over 820 litter bins installed across the district" but they will install extras at popular locations such as Sunny Sands, Sandgate promenade and Dymchurch.

He explained: "Last year, we added to these as the season progressed and we will be doing the same this year if needed.

"These extra bulk bins have already been installed in anticipation of the Easter weekend.

"Veolia are in the process of moving street cleansing staff onto a more flexible rota so more staff can be available to meet seasonal demands, notably over the weekends.

"In previous years there have been times when gaining vehicle access to areas has been difficult due to the sheer number of visitors.

"This year, Veolia will be making use of electric Bradshaw carts and bulking points to work around crowded areas."

It was also said that while illegal beach parties aren't usually known about until the day they happen, the council will work with police to "share intelligence".

Cllr Peall said: "Our stance is that we will expect the police to take appropriate action if illegal events occur and as a council will use any legal means before an event to dissuade an organiser or after an event to recover costs from that organiser or impose fines."

This comment references a huge illegal 'cookout' at Littlestone last August, when thousands of people arrived and left behind copious amounts of litter. Police attended and four officers were hurt, including one hit by a car.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone