Blue Flag status granted
THREE beaches and a marina in the Bridgend and Glamorgan areas have been awarded Blue Flag status.
They are part of the 45 Blue Flag beaches and marinas in Wales according to this year’s Keep Wales Tidy list of coastal areas.
This comes after a two-year break for the flag scheme, which awards water cleanliness and quality. Last year, no flags were flown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Across the country, 45 Blue Flags are flying at 42 beaches and three marinas, from Barmouth to Southerndown and Abersoch to Amroth.
The iconic Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-label owned by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Furthermore, 25 beaches have also achieved the Seaside Award for their standard of water quality and facilities. A further 13 beaches in Wales have gained the Green Coast Award, recognising the ‘ hidden gems’ along our coastline.
Lesley Jones, Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive said: “We are lucky to have some of the world’s best beaches and marinas on our doorstep. The success is a testament to everyone who has worked so hard to protect and improve our beaches and keep our coast clean and safe.
“With local services under immense pressure due to Covid-19, we all needed to pull together to look after our natural environment. We hope that visitors returning to our stunning coastline will cherish it more than ever and enjoy our beaches responsibly. Please make sure you make memories, not mess and take your litter home with you.”
In Bridgend Rest Bay, Trecco Bay and Porthcawl Marina were given the status while Southerndown in the Vale of Glamorgan also got the prestigious award.