Concerns remain at sole ‘poor’ North East beach

WATER QUALITY TEST RESULTS REVEALED

CULLERCOATS Beach has once again had a ‘poor’ rating slapped on it for water quality, making it the only beach in the region not classed as ‘good’ or ‘excellent.’

Despite this, more North East bathing waters than ever before have been rated as excellent in the latest classifications announced today by Defra.

For the second year running, 33 of the region’s 34 designated bathing waters have achieved either ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ ratings, with the number achieving the highest categorisation rising from 24 to 25.

A further eight are ‘good,’ while work continues at Cullercoats to identify and remedy the causes of it being rated ‘poor’ – as the only bathing water not to pass the standards.

A joint investigation between the Environment Agency, North Tyneside Council and Northumbrian Water regarding the deterioration of bathing water quality at Cullercoats continues. Northumbrian Water’s waste water director, Richard Warneford, said: “The investigation continues to rule out potential factors that may be contributing to the reduction in quality of the bathing water at Cullercoats.

“The Environment Agency has continued testing outside of the normal bathing water season, and while the work is ongoing by North Tyneside Council, the Agency and ourselves, there is some optimism that improve

Once again, we have seen 33 of our region’s 34 designated bathing waters rated good or excellent

Richard Warneford