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Controversial plans to ban dogs from parks and playgrounds in one part of our region have received strong support after people said dog mess has become a "widespread nuisance."

Frustrated local residents in Runcorn and Widnes have suggested irresponsible dog owners should be fined £1000 in a survey that indicated most people would back strict dog control measures in Halton.

Plans for a similar crackdown in Wirral faced so much backlash it forced the local authority into a U-turn.

But in the Halton area, a public consultation revealed over 50% of people agreed with the council over plans to introduce new dog exclusion zones in some of the borough's most popular green spaces.

(Image: Blairgowrie Advertiser)

Places where the animals could soon be banned include parts of the Spike Island Nature Reserve, Runcorn's Town Park, the Town Hall gardens, Hale Park pitches and Runcorn Hill Park pitches and tennis courts.

As well as dog bans, the stricter measures will also require dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead in some areas where they could previously roam free.

Other strict rules set to be introduced include limiting the number of dogs that can be walked at any one time to four, and fining those who fail to carry bags for dog mess.

The Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for dog fouling will also increase from £80 to £100 - although some residents said this price hike was not high enough.

(Image: runcornweeklynews)

Some said they would like to see selfish dog owners get stung with fines as high as £1000, while other suggested £150-£250 was a more appropriate amount.

Halton Council say the new powers will allow them to deal more effectively with dog fouling and other forms of "dog related anti-social behaviour."

A report on the new measures said dog fouling "continues to be a widespread nuisance" in parks, open spaces and on footpaths, and is "the source of regular complaints from members of the public."

When similar plans were put forward by councillors in neighbouring borough Wirral, 15,000 people signed a petition against the new measures .

(Image: runcornweeklynews)

But the results of a 12-week public consultation over the plans in Halton suggests there is strong support for greater controls.

Out of 922 responses - which is considered a very high response - more than 50% agree with each of the new measures put forward.

These are the new places where dogs could be banned in Halton Town Park (Play Area) Spike Island Catalyst (Playground area) Upton Playground Upton Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) Spike Island MUGA Windmill Hill Avenue South - Ball Play The Glen MUGA The Glen Palacefields Avenue Frank Myler Recreation MUGA Town Hall Grounds Formal Gardens Town Hall Grounds - MUGA Runcorn Cemetery Runcorn Hill Park Tennis Courts Hill View Kingsway CRMZ MUGA Peel House Cemetery Arley Drive Pitches Prescot Road Pitches Haddocks Wood Pitches King George V Recreation Ground Pitches Leigh Recreation Pitches Frank Myler Sport & Recreation Ground pitches Hale Park Pitches Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field Runcorn Hill Park Pitches

The new measures will be introduced under a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) if they are approved by Halton council's cabinet.

No changes are being made to existing dog exclusion and dog on lead zones, which will be retained.

Members of the council's Safer Policy and Performance Board will vote on whether to send their proposals to the Executive for approval at a meeting next Tuesday.