Keep Britain Tidy, the environmental charity, has announced the winners of the prestigious Blue Flag award and Seaside Awards for the Summer 2022.
In total 6 Torbay beaches were awarded with the Blue Flag among the beaches was Oddicombe Beach who has been awarded the Blue Flag since its foundation over 35 years ago.
Other beaches in Torbay were also awarded a Blue Flag including Breakwater Beach, Broadsands, Meadfoot Beach, Preston Sands and Torre Abbey Sands all of whom will be flying the Blue Flag award with pride this summer.
Torbay, wasn’t alone in its awards, across the South West over 56 beaches have been presented with an award for recognising the quality of their beaches, the way it is managed and the facilities that are available to residents.
Not only have the six beaches been awarded with a Blue Flag but they have also been awarded the Seaside Award along with Maidencombe, Goodrington, Paignton and Anstey’s Cove.
Councillor and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture, Mike Morey said:
“It is fantastic that Oddicombe Beach has retained its Blue Flag for an impressive 35 years. I am also delighted that our other award winning beaches also get to retain their awards and fly their award flags with pride. I’d like to thank everyone who does their bit to make sure our beaches remain clean and inviting for all users.”
Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the English Riviera BID Company Ltd said:
“The English Riviera really stands apart from other UK destinations because of the incredible beaches that are on offer. Out of our 20 beaches, ten of them have been internationally recognised for their exceptional quality and management.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s CEO, Allison Ogden-Newton, OBE said:
“The success of Torbay in reaching the high standards demanded is testament to all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve our blue spaces – from beach managers and volunteers to local residents and businesses. The huge commitment needed to maintain marvellous beaches worthy of these awards cannot be underestimated.
“People who visit a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards.”
The purpose of the Blue Flag award is to improve the quality of England’s coastline and promote the country’s best beaches.
The Blue Flag award is an international award from Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education. The award is only ever given to well presented and managed beaches with an excellent water quality and environmental education programmes, while the equally prestigious Seaside Awards are presented to the best in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of England’s coastline.
Beaches are assessed against:
- Safety and services, such as first aid and lifeguards where needed
- Environmental information including the display of details about the local eco system.
- Water quality – Blue Flag is only given to beaches that meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive and Seaside Award winners must meet the sufficient standard.
- The management of the environment including litter and waste.
You can find a beach in Torbay, including those that welcome dogs all year round on the beaches pages of the Torbay Council website.
You can find out more about Keep Britain tidy by visiting their website.
