New rules cost county all its Blue Flag beaches

2021 HOLDERS MADE THE GRADE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS BUT FALL FOUL OF NEW RISK ASSESSMENT RULES

ONLY one beach in North Wales has received the Blue Flag Award in 2022 after a “new requirement” was introduced.

Prestatyn beach in Denbighshire was the only beach to receive the award, Keep Wales Tidy announced last week.

Local authorities in North Wales say a new requirement regarding risk assessments is the reason so many beaches across North Wales missed out.

Across the whole of Wales, just 24 locations in Wales received the award – a drop of 21 from 45 last year.

The reduction was felt mostly in the north, where 17 beaches qualified in 2021, including six in Gwynedd: Barmouth (Abermaw), Abersoch, Dinas Dinlle, Morfa Bychan (Black Rock Sands), Pwllheli and Aberdaron. All but the one in Prestatyn have failed to secure the award this year.

However, failure was due to a newly introduced safety regulation rather than any environmental failings.

In a statement issued on behalf of Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy Councils, they said: “We are proud that all beaches nominated for a Blue Flag in our counties continue to meet the required environmental standards for this prestigious award.

“However, the International Jury for the Blue Flag award has an additional new requirement regarding risk assessments.

“We will continue to work with Keep Wales Tidy to fully understand this new requirement and identify a suitable way forward.

“We would emphasise that our beaches remain amongst the best in Wales and will continue to attract thousands of visitors again this summer.”

The Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-label owned by the Foundation for

Environmental Education (FEE).

For more than three decades, Blue Flag has had a transformational impact on water quality, safety and environmental management, it has also inspired environmental awareness through educational activities and promotion of social responsibility.

As well as the Blue Flag awards, Keep Wales Tidy also announced that Silver Bay in Rhoscolyn, Anglesey, was awarded a Green Coast Award, while Criccieth, Llanddonna, Kinmel Bay, Llandudno North Shore, Abergele Pensarn and Rhyl Central all received a Seaside Award.