THE ISLE of Wight has come joint top in the UK for its number of quality beaches
The Island has received 14 awards in the Keep Britain Tidy Blue Flags and Quality Coast Awards (QCA) — putting it joint top alongside Torbay, Devon.
Ventnor and Sandown beaches were both awarded prestigious Blue Flags, while 12 beaches were given QCAs — the single highest figure in the country.
These are Colwell, Cowes, East Cowes, Gurnard, Ryde East, Sandown, Seagrove, Shanklin, Springvale, Totland, Ventnor and Yaverland.
With 113 QCAs awarded across the country, this means the Island can boast almost ten per cent of Britain’s QCA beaches.
QCA criteria includes good access and top facilities such as lifeguard provision. They must be litter free and have clean bathing water. Similar criteria is also required for Blue Flag status, although the water quality test is more stringent.
“This news is a timely boost ahead of what we are predicting to be a great tourism season on the Island,” said Stuart Love, the council’s head of environment and neighbourhoods.
Dave Groocock, chairman of the Tourism Development Board and vice-president of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, said clean and safe beaches were a magnet for holidaymakers.
“This is good news for the tourism industry and the wider Island economy. I think it is well done to everybody, the longshoremen included, for the hard work and effort that has brought this about. Lets keep it up,” he said.
The council did not enter previous Blue Flag winning beaches Ryde East or Shanklin into this year’s awards.
This is because the areas were subject to inclement weather during much of 2008 and although the water was well within the legal minimum standards, the bathing water would not meet the strictest Blue Flag criteria because of the amount of rainfall last year, which washed run-off and debris from the land into the sea.
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk