Westcountry

Beaches Lose Blue Flag Status

Westcountry beaches lose their Blue Flag status

by Carrie Garrad
Bigbury-on-Sea in South Devon failed to maintain its Blue Flag status Photo:

Four Westcountry beaches have failed to maintain their Blue Flag status, which singled them out as among the best in the country. Only 27 beaches in the South West were awarded Blue Flags, two less than last year, in Keep Britain Tidy’s list for 2012.

To be awarded a Blue Flag beaches have to meet a certain water quality level among other criteria like beach safety.

Two of North Devon’s previous award-winning beaches failed to reach the mark this year. Croyde Bay and Wollacombe Sands were outcasted alongside Preston Sands in Torbay, and Bigbury-on-Sea in South Devon.

Croyde Bay in North Devon was one of four Devon beaches that lost its Blue Flag status Credit: ITV Westcountry

Although Devon was the only county in the South West to lose any of its Blue Flags, it did still achieve 12 awards. Sandy Bay, on the south coast, was the only newcomer to the list.

Twenty seven beaches in the South West were awarded Blue Flags for 2012 Credit: ITV Westcountry

In Cornwall, Carbis Bay was the only new beach to make the standard out of six beaches in the Duchy to be awarded a Blue Flag.

England is ranked in the world's top ten countries for having the most Blue Flag beaches out of almost 50 countries taking part in the Blue Flag scheme.

The continuing high standards of our beaches are testament to the hard work carried out by beach managers throughout the year in order to provide clean and safe beaches for everyone to enjoy, whether you live on the coast or are a visitor.

– Phil Barton, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy

Quality Coast Awards are also awarded as part of the scheme. It recognises beaches in England that achieve the highest standards of beach management. The South West improved on last year with 25 QCAs.

In England 79 beaches were awarded blue flags, nine more than last year and almost 100 QCAs were awarded.

There will be two major changes to the Blue Flag scheme from 2013 Credit: ITV Westcountry

From 2013, there will be two key changes to the Blue Flag Programme. A tougher water quality standard will be introduced. This is the new 'Excellent' standard required under the new EU Bathing Water Directive. It is estimated to be twice as difficult as the current Blue Flag water quality standards.

Blue Flag beaches in England will also need to provide warnings to beach users when nearby combined sewer overflows discharge - if that discharge could temporarily affect the bathing water quality.

The beaches awarded Blue Flags in the Westcountry for 2012 are Carbis Bay, Gyllyngvase, Porthtowan, Polzeath, Porthminster and Porthmeor in Cornwall. In Devon, Challaborough Bay, Salcombe South Sands, Dawlish Warren, Oddicombe, Meadfoot, Broadsands, Breakwater, Paignton, Westward Ho!, Tunnels Beaches and Blackpool Sands were those making the standards.