Partnership aiming to deliver best beaches and bathing water in Europe
At an event held at Scarborough's Spa complex (Thursday 4 November 2010) we unveiled an exciting partnership which is aiming to turn Yorkshire's beaches and bathing waters into the best in Europe - giving Yorkshire a higher concentration of blue flags than the likes of Portugal.
The five-year initiative will deliver environmental improvements along 50-miles of coastline, stretching from Withernsea to Staithes.
The aim is to ensure that Yorkshire's bathing waters can achieve a new "excellent" standard due to come into force in 2015 as part of the European Revised Bathing Water Directive.
Addressing councillors, MPs and local surfers today, Chief Executive of Welcome To Yorkshire Gary Verity expressed a stark warning.
Download the presentation from the event -
We're going for excellent
In future, only where bathing waters met the new, tighter, environmental standard, would local councils be able to apply for a coveted European Blue Flag. Being able to fly blue flags at all eight of Yorkshire's resort beaches would provide a major boost for the local tourist economy, which is why a range of organisations had decided to work together to deliver the necessary improvements.
Gary Verity, Independent Chair, Welcome to Yorkshire
We're working with a number of organisations to help Yorkshire's most popular seaside beaches achieve blue flag status including the Environment Agency, Scarborough Borough Council, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, North Yorkshire County Council, the National Farmers Union and Defra.
See how we're working with our partners.
Our aspiration is to see Blue Flags flying along our entire coastline. This would give us a higher concentration of Blue Flags than the likes of Portugal, a country widely regarded as having some of the finest beaches and bathing waters in Europe. However, we will only be able to achieve this ambitious goal if the various organisations whose activities can impact on bathing water quality come together and work together. Today they have made that commitment. It's great news for Yorkshire.
Gary Verity, Independent Chair, Welcome to Yorkshire
Councillors heard that the chances of success had been given a major boost by the news that Yorkshire Water had secured £110 million of funding to further upgrade its waste water facilities on the east coast.
Video from the event
Members of the partnership board give us there views on how this project will benefit not only the east coast but Yorkshire as a whole.
Pictures from the event
Find out more
We'll be adding pictures from the event and keeping you up-to-date on the latest news about this project on our Twitter page.
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You can also find out more about this project and see how we're aiming for 'excellent' on our website
