The annual Blue Flag and Seaside Awards organised by Keep Britain Tidy have been announced… but yet again our local beaches have failed to gain the top Blue Flag Award.
The Seaside Award again went locally to both Bridlington North and South beaches as well as Wilsthorpe, Flamborough South Landing and Filey.
In our region, of the beaches eligible for the award, only Scarborough North Bay and Whitby received the higher accolade of the Blue Flag Award.
Yorkshire and the Humber (14 Seaside Awards)
- Scarborough North Bay – Scarborough Borough Council
- Whitby – Scarborough Borough Council
- Bridlington North – East Riding of Yorkshire
- Bridlington South – East Riding of Yorkshire
- Hornsea – East Riding of Yorkshire
- Wilsthorpe – East Riding of Yorkshire
- South Landing, Flamborough – East Riding of Yorkshire
- Withernsea – East Riding of Yorkshire
- Filey – Scarborough Borough Council
- Runswick Bay – Scarborough Borough Council
- Cayton Bay – Scarborough Borough Council
- Robin Hoods Bay – Scarborough Borough Council
- Scarborough South Bay – Scarborough Borough Council
The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches.
Blue Flag is an international award managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education.
It is only presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes, while Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.
Among the criteria beaches are assessed against are:
- Safety and services, such as first aid, lifeguards where necessary
- Environmental information including displaying details about local eco systems
- Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive and Seaside Award winners must meet the ‘sufficient’ standard.
- Environmental management, including litter and waste
A spokesperson for Keep Britain Tidy, said:”
These awards are the only way for the public to be assured that beaches are delivering a safe, clean and well-managed space for them to enjoy but our coast is a natural environment and water quality may vary, particularly after heavy rainfall when the advice from the World Health Organisation is to refrain from entering the water for 24 hours.
