Record 50 blue flags for beaches as mercury soars
WALES is set to bask in temperatures in the mid-20s this week as bright and warm summer conditions move in.
And the sunny weather will be just the excuse for day-trippers to visit some of the country’s glorious beaches – dozens of which have been awarded a coveted Blue Flag Award.
The designation – seen as a “mark of excellence” – has been awarded to a record 50 sites in Wales, with 45 beaches as well as three marinas and two boat tour operators getting the mark.
The award, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, recognises the highest level of cleanliness and water quality across the world.
And the number of sites awarded a Blue Flag in Wales has increased from last year, with one more beach making the list – Penmaenmawr beach, Conwy, has been added to the list alongside the likes of Barry’s Whitmore Bay, Porthcawl’s Trecco and Rest Bays, Poppit Sands, North Aberystwyth, and Pwllheli.
A further 25 beaches were awarded a Green Flag Award – an excellence award for the ‘hidden gems’ along the coastline – with 85 beaches also given the Seaside Award.
And this year two sustainable tour boat operators in Wales have been given Blue Flag Awards – the first in the UK – in a record-breaking year for Blue Flag internationally.
Lesley Jones, chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said: “The Wales Coast Awards play a vital role in the continuing growth of coastal and marine tourism. They act as a mark of excellence, ensuring sites are managed effectively and showcasing our beautiful country to an international audience. Visitors to our award-winning beaches, marinas and boat tour operators can be sure they have arrived at a quality destination.
“I’d like to congratulate our winners and thank everyone who has been involved in making this year’s Wales Coast Awards a great success.”
Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said: “We all know Wales has some of the most stunning coastline anywhere in the world.
“Our beaches and coastal areas have long been a magnet for visitors from far and wide as well as being hugely popular with local communities. The fact 50 sites can now proudly fly the Blue Flag and 98 sites in total have been recognised for the quality of their water and facilities is excellent news. This can only have a positive effect on tourism and, in turn, provide a welcome boost for the economy.”
The nation’s beaches and tourist hotspots are braced for a busy week with the Met Office forecasting a spike in temperatures, with the mercury rising to 25° in some areas by Friday.
Fishguard is forecast to see temperatures of 23°C, Swansea will see 21°C, Cardiff is set to see 22°C, Aberystwyth is forecast to see temperatures of 24°C, while Holyhead can expect 21°C and Colwyn Bay can expect 24°C.
All of Wales is expected to see dry, bright and warm conditions at some point this week with more overcast weather expected today and tomorrow before conditions brighten up again on Thursday and Friday.