| Blue Flag rating conferred to over 100 UK beaches |
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Holidaymakers and tourists have another reason to binge in merry making as the only body behind the Seaside Awards for UK beaches identifies 119 beaches that meet their defined benchmarks.
The unique Blue Flags are awarded to resort beaches in Europe, Caribbean and South Africa, which meet highest standards for their clean sands, disabled access along with the health and safety provisions.
Though the 19 former winners missed the award, there were five re-entries and eleven new winners including Broughty Ferry in Dundee, Prestatyn Central and one of the country’s newest resorts, Jubilee Beach in Southend. Besides, Sandbanks, Scarborough North and Poole were amongst the previous winners.
With no winners from the North West, Ainsdale beach, last year winner, missed the award in 2005 despite spending huge amounts on sewage clean.
Encams spokesman said” This is a blip, not a crisis. One of the problems was the stormy conditions last year which brought pollutants to the surface.”
"We are very confident that provided we have a good summer, they should be back in the Blue Flag awards”.
With 19 beaches (Keynes Country Park in Gloucestershire, Great Yarmouth Centra and Margate Main Sands and the only inland award winner) losing the Blue Flag status, things were not as appealing as it ought to be.
Chief Executive of Encams added "There has been a real element of snobbery surrounding our beaches, with some people suggesting they simply don't match up to their continental counterparts”. Encams confirmed that the prevailing conditions of the country’s beaches have considerably enhanced ever since Britain entered the awards scheme in 1987.
The holidaymakers and the tourists will not only contribute in further renaissance of the coastline by visiting these approved beaches, but will also defend jobs and be instrumental in curbing the £17 billion tourism deficit.
"Many of our resorts now offer fantastic facilities and a wide range of attractions and activities for everyone to enjoy."
It’s not only the weather forecast that is encouraging this summer but also the rejuvenated coastlines and beaches that is still untapped and require exploration.
Posted
on : Sat, 04 Jun 2005 10:55 GMT | General News
By : Pippa Fielding
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