Five local beauty spots are flying the blue flag for Swansea.
Bracelet Bay, Caswell Bay, Langland Bay, Port Eynon and Swansea Marina have once again all passed the tough tests to win the blue flag for cleanliness and safety.
Beaches are judged against 30 criteria, including meeting the highest water quality mark, strict litter management, dog control, visitor safety and sustainable environmental ethics.
Marinas have to meet 16 land-based criteria including adequate waste reception facilities, provision of lifesaving equipment and a written commitment to safeguard local environments.
Swansea Marina is one of only eight marinas in the UK to have received the accolade this year.
The Blue Flag was first established in France in the late 1980s and currently operates in over 40 countries. It’s managed in Wales on behalf of the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education by Keep Wales Tidy.
Councillor Graham Thomas, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: “Swansea has a reputation as a coastal city of quality and these awards help to promote that perception.
“Blue Flag status is recognised throughout the world and can make a real difference to beach and marina visitors when they’re deciding where to spend their time.
“A lot of work is ongoing to ensure Swansea Bay maximises its potential and awards of this nature are indicative of the high standards we’re determined to set.”
Lesley Jones, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said: “Experts predict that due to the current economic climate more people will be choosing to spend their holidays in the UK.
“And with a record number of beaches and marinas in Wales achieving Blue Flag status we’re well positioned to announce that a trip to our coast will be a quality experience.
“Investments made by Local Authorities and Welsh Water over the past decade now give us the confidence to declare that we have a wide choice of beaches and marinas along our 750-mile coastline that have achieved the ultimate international quality status.”
Have a look at www.keepwalestidy.org for a full list of all the beaches and marinas in Wales to have received Blue Flag status.
