Blue Flag for Cefn Sidan for 2011
Pembrey's Cefn Sidan beach will fly the coveted Blue Flag in 2011.
Both Cefn Sidan flanking Pembrey Country Park and Pendine were among the best results of 80 beaches passing mandatory bacteria standards set by the European Council Bathing Water Directive.
Test show waters in Carmarthen Bay and Burry Estuary to be among the highest quality in Europe with even Burry Port beaches being classifed as “excellent.”
Carmarthenshire County Council chef executive, Mark James, said he was delighted both beaches passed not only the mandatory bacteria standards set by the European Council Bathing Water Directive, but also the far more stringent European Council Guideline Standard.
Both Pembrey and Pendine beaches were not awarded the Blue Flag in 2009 because of one failed water quality test caused by heavy rainfall washing from fields into the test area.
The county council will be applying for Blue Flag status for Cefn Sidan, Pembrey in 2011. Pendine is now managed by the community council. Cefn Sidan has flown the Blue Flag more often that any other beach in Wales - 24 times out of a possible 26.
After the Welsh beaches news was announced by Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, Mr James said: “This once again this demonstrates, contrary to those campaigning otherwise, that Carmarthenshire’s beaches and water quality along our South Coast are excellent and as good as if not better than anywhere else in Europe.
“It is a great pity that the public are being led to believe otherwise by those with their own agenda.
“Our tourism industry is very important to many businesses in Carmarthenshire and we will be doing all we can to get the facts about our estuary and its excellent water quality out to encourage people to come to Carmarthenshire.”
Mr James said water quality at Burry Port had also been classified as excellent. As this is not classified as a main bathing beach it is not able to get a blue flag.
Mrs Davidson said: “We saw in 2009 how heavy rainfall can often have an effect on the quality of our bathing waters.
“Tourism is big business in Wales. It contributes £3.5billion a year to the economy and employs up to 100,000 people at the peak of the season.”
Both Cefn Sidan flanking Pembrey Country Park and Pendine were among the best results of 80 beaches passing mandatory bacteria standards set by the European Council Bathing Water Directive.
Test show waters in Carmarthen Bay and Burry Estuary to be among the highest quality in Europe with even Burry Port beaches being classifed as “excellent.”
Carmarthenshire County Council chef executive, Mark James, said he was delighted both beaches passed not only the mandatory bacteria standards set by the European Council Bathing Water Directive, but also the far more stringent European Council Guideline Standard.
Both Pembrey and Pendine beaches were not awarded the Blue Flag in 2009 because of one failed water quality test caused by heavy rainfall washing from fields into the test area.
The county council will be applying for Blue Flag status for Cefn Sidan, Pembrey in 2011. Pendine is now managed by the community council. Cefn Sidan has flown the Blue Flag more often that any other beach in Wales - 24 times out of a possible 26.
After the Welsh beaches news was announced by Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, Mr James said: “This once again this demonstrates, contrary to those campaigning otherwise, that Carmarthenshire’s beaches and water quality along our South Coast are excellent and as good as if not better than anywhere else in Europe.
“It is a great pity that the public are being led to believe otherwise by those with their own agenda.
“Our tourism industry is very important to many businesses in Carmarthenshire and we will be doing all we can to get the facts about our estuary and its excellent water quality out to encourage people to come to Carmarthenshire.”
Mr James said water quality at Burry Port had also been classified as excellent. As this is not classified as a main bathing beach it is not able to get a blue flag.
Mrs Davidson said: “We saw in 2009 how heavy rainfall can often have an effect on the quality of our bathing waters.
“Tourism is big business in Wales. It contributes £3.5billion a year to the economy and employs up to 100,000 people at the peak of the season.”
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