Blue Flag and Seaside Awards given to Yorkshire Coast beaches
Keep Britain Tidy has announced the winners today
Last updated 13th May 2022
Beaches on the Yorkshire Coast have been given Blue Flags and Seaside Awards.
Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has today announced the winners.
In total 15 beaches across Yorkshire and the Humber have been presented with an award recognising the quality of the beach, the way it is managed and the facilities it offers to visitors.
The Blue Flag is an international award and this year two beaches across the region -Scarborough North Bay and Whitby, managed by Scarborough Borough Council - have met the high standard required. They were also among 14 beaches in the region presented with the Seaside Award.
The others are:
• Bridlington North - East Riding of Yorkshire
• Bridlington South - East Riding of Yorkshire
• Hornsea - East Riding of Yorkshire
• Wilsthorpe - East Riding of Yorkshire
• South Landing - East Riding of Yorkshire
• Withernsea - East Riding of Yorkshire
• Filey - Scarborough Borough Council
• Runswick Bay - Scarborough Borough Council
• Cayton Bay - Scarborough Borough Council
• Robin Hoods Bay - Scarborough Borough Council
• Scarborough South Bay - Scarborough Borough Council
Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “The success of these beaches in reaching the very 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 Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches.
Blue Flag is an international award managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education. It is only presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes, while Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.
Among the criteria beaches are assessed against are:
• Safety and services, such as first aid, lifeguards where necessary
• Environmental information including displaying details about local eco systems
• Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive and Seaside Award winners must meet the 'sufficient’ standard.
• Environmental management, including litter and waste
East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: "East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency have been working together, as the Yorkshire Bathing Water partnership, to improve coastal waters since 2013. We’re very pleased with the Seaside Awards for Bridlington North and Bridlington South beaches, which are presented to the best beaches in England to celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.
"We will continue to work together to ensure that we provide excellent facilities at our beaches and identify ways to make improvements to water quality. The 2022 season has already got off to a great start at our coastal resorts, and we look forward a hugely successful summer."
Councillor Michelle Donohue Moncrieff, Scarborough Borough Council cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said:
“It is fantastic news that the borough’s eligible beaches have each received a Seaside Award alongside the prestigious Blue Flag Award for Whitby West Cliff and Scarborough North Bay.
“People already know that the borough’s beaches are beautiful places to visit. These awards mean they can also be confident that the beaches are clean, safe and well managed places to enjoy, whatever the weather.”