TOP BEACH LOSES BLUE FLAG AWARD:
IT’S one of Wales’ most popular beaches, attracting throngs of visitors on sunsoaked bank holidays – but Barry Island’s main beach has just lost its coveted Blue Flag award.
Whitmore Beach, which has been a magnet for generations of holiday daytrippers, is one of just three Welsh seaside spots to be stripped of the top environmental accolade this time round.
It bucks a trend which has seen Wales flying more Blue Flags per mile than anywhere else in the UK, in the latest list revealed today.
The 2019 awards see 44 flags awarded to 40 beaches, three marinas and one boat tour operator.
Across South Wales, Porthcawl scoops a trio of blue flags thanks to its marina, Trecco Bay and Rest Bay; in the Vale of Glamorgan, Southerndown and Penarth Marina take the top honour.
But Barry Island’s flagship beach has missed out due to “fluctuations in water quality”.
According to National Resources Wales (NRW), the spike in bacteria results could be caused by a number of issues including an increase in seagull and other animal presence on the day of sampling.
Louis Ross, owner of cult brand Barrybados, said: “I am gutted that the beach has lost its Blue Flag status.
“I understand it is due to external factors which are not in our hands.
“I am gutted but I hope it will return again in our favour soon.”
An NRW spokesperson said: “Keeping Wales’ waters clean and safe is a huge part of the work we do which is why we’ve been working with Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water and The Vale of Glamorgan Council for years to monitor the bathing waters around Barry. It’s always disappointing when our waters drop a classification, but we think it’s important to remember that there were no poor quality bathing waters in Wales this year, which is a big achievement.
“Last season Jackson and Whitmore Bays tested abnormally high for bacteria on one of our samples and because of this one high result, these areas had to drop a classification.
“We’re still looking into what might have caused the drop in water quality at the time of sampling but we’re confident that it was a very local, short term issue. The waters around Barry are still completely safe and we will be working with our partners towards getting a higher classification for next season.”
The Blue Flag is an internationally recognised environmental label owned by the Foundation for Environmental Education, and is awarded to beaches and marinas for cleanliness and safety.
A resort must fulfil 32 criteria to acquire or maintain the accolade.
The beach must also be clean and feature good all-round management.
As well as the 44 blue flags, there were also 18 beaches in Wales that gained the Green Coast Award – recognising the “hidden gems” along our coastline, along with another 40 that achieved the Seaside Award for their standard of water quality and facilities, making a total of 102 honours in the Wales Coast Awards.
Alongside Whitmore Bay, Aberdaron and Tywyn in Gwynedd were the only other 2018 Blue Flag beaches not to achieve the award this year. However, all three achieved Seaside awards.
Lesley Jones, Keep Wales Tidy chief executive, said: “The 102 awards are a testament to the hard work of staff and volunteers who help care for our beautiful coastline and keep our waters clean throughout the year.
“The Wales Coast Awards play a vital role in protecting our precious marine environment and attracting visitors from around the world. We should all take great pride in the quality of our beaches and coastal areas.”