Bay passes quality test (From Barry And District News)

Bay passes quality test

BARRY Island's Whitmore Bay has scooped a top award.

The Seaside Award, co-ordinated by Keep Wales Tidy, recognises beaches that have attained at least the EU minimum legal standard of bathing water quality, although many have achieved the much stricter Guideline water standard.

Whitmore Bay, along with all other award-winning beaches, has satisfied the judges that infrastructure and overall management are of the highest standard.

It now means that Whitmore Bay can fly the distinctive yellow and blue Seaside Award flag and display its plaque.

There were 62 awards for rural beaches in Wales, with another 47 resort beaches also awarded.

A record 109 beaches in Wales have met the strict criteria, compared with only 14 in 1992.

Keep Wales Tidy chief Executive, Tegryn Jones, said: "Local authorities and Welsh Water need to be congratulated for the investment they have made in improving both the quality of our coastal waters and the shore-based infrastructure required to achieve the coveted Seaside Award status."

The Vale's Southern-down has also been named as an award-winning beach.

Cllr Geoff Cox, Vale cabinet member for visible services, said: "This national recognition demonstrates the Vale of Glamorgan Council's commitment to maintaining and increasing the standards of both our rural and resort beaches.

"Good-quality bathing water will help attract even more visitors to our beaches and help further establish the Vale as a high -quality tourist destination."