Questions have been raised about what can be done to reduce the disturbances caused by jet skis.

They were asked by Folkestone and Hythe district councillor, Georgina Trelaor (Green), who says the machines create noise pollution and are potentially dangerous to both people and wildlife.

Cllr Treloar took the issue on after a resident contacted her with their concerns about how fast the jet skis travel along the Folkestone district's coastlines.

"It is not just the disturbances they create, such as noise, but the impact on people and wildlife", says Cllr Treloar.

"We have a seal population here.

"The entertainment of one person with a high speed vessel can result in the interruption of a lot more people."

At a Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) meeting, Cllr Treloar asked whether there was a way to reduce the speed and distance the machines can travel at.

She said: "Considering the noise pollution and disturbance to people and wildlife that jet skis can cause on our otherwise peaceful shoreline, is there any scope in our bye-laws relating to leisure craft to further reduce the speed limit or distance from the shore at which jet-skiers can operate their craft?"

Cllr Stuart Peall (Con) said the byelaw for the enforcement of leisure craft that the council relies on imposes a speed limit of eight nautical miles along most of the district’s coastline, and up to 200 metres from the shoreline.

He added however that this is difficult to enforce for 'practical reasons'.

He said: "The council does not employ a coastal patrol vessel that can enforce on the water. It is doubtful that the expense of deploying such a craft could be justified.

"Enforcement from the shore runs into the problem of identifying and then engaging with offending water craft users."

Cllr Peall said last summer, FHDC worked with the coastguard, Folkestone Harbour and other groups to respond to a range of water safety concerns, including enforcement of leisure craft and how this could be practically achieved.

FHDC also increased enforcement patrols during this period including weekends with a focus on the coast.

The authority will carry out the same approach this summer, it says.

Cllr Treloar asked whether FHDC might look into implementing a licensing programme for jet ski users, which is something Canterbury City Council (CCC) have recently consulted on.

It came after the authority was flooded with complaints about reckless riders.

Cllr Peall said FHDC will consider it, but will monitor how CCC get on first.

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