Beaches and Sea

The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards organised by Keep Britain Tidy have been revealed. 

In our area, of the beaches eligible for the award, only Hornsea gained the top Blue Flag Award, with Scarborough North Bay and Whitby also receiving the accolade.

The Seaside Award went to both Bridlington North and South beaches as well as Wilsthorpe, Flamborough South Landing and Filey

Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for economic growth and tourism, said : "I am absolutely delighted that Hornsea has been awarded a Blue Flag, as we look forward to welcoming tourists back to the East Riding this summer, for what we expect to be a very busy, and successful season.
"The Seaside Awards for our other major beaches also represent a vote of confidence in the water quality at all these other locations, and in the facilities provided.  Things are looking good for the 2021 season!

"At the moment, we are of course still encouraging our visitors and residents to follow social distancing, and to remain careful and vigilant as we continue to emerge from the pandemic."

This year, England can boast 76 Blue Flag beaches, more than Brazil, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Israel, Malta, Mexico or South Africa.

A total of 132 beaches have received a Seaside Award and, for the first time in England.

The international Blue Flag and the UK Seaside Awards are the quality marks for beaches and mean those visiting them can be sure that they are clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as the tough international bathing water quality standards.

Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “This year, more than ever, we are going to be relying on our country’s beautiful beaches to escape for a much-needed break after all the stresses and strains of the past year.

“Whether it’s camping in Cornwall, renting a cottage in North Yorkshire or simply having a day out at the seaside in Sussex, a fantastic beach is an essential part of a holiday for so many of us.

“Last year, due to the pandemic, we did not have the opportunity to celebrate all the great award-winning beaches around the coast so this year we are delighted to have even more winners than we did in 2019, thanks to the incredible work of the teams around the country that make our beaches clean and safe for us all to enjoy.

“As we all plan our 2021 holidays much closer to home, thanks to the Blue Flag and Seaside Award those choosing to holiday at a destination with an award-winning beach can be assured it will be clean and safe and meet the highest standards for water quality and management.”