Weymouth has once again been recognised with two prestigious awards for the quality of its beach.
Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy announced today the winners of the coveted Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for this summer - and among them is Weymouth Beach.
The news that Weymouth Beach has yet again met the high standard required to be awarded the Blue Flag and Seaside Award has been welcomed as ‘fantastic news’ by the town council.
The awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches.
It is an international award managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education.
It is only presented to beaches with water which has achieved the highest classification as set by the EU Bathing Water Directive and has an environmental education program, while Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.
READ: New 10-year Weymouth Seafront Strategy is unveiled
Beaches are also assessed against safety and services, such as first aid and lifeguards where necessary, environmental information including displaying details about local eco systems, and environmental management, including litter and waste.
It's another accolade for the resort - which is widely praised for having one of the best - if not the best - beach in the country.
However the extortionate car parking charges in town recently led to the beach only being named the second-best in the UK to visit over the May bank holiday.
READ: Weymouth second best beach in UK due to parking charges
However, in February, it was named as the best in Britain by TripAdvisor and by The Times in 2023.
Jane Biscombe, town clerk at Weymouth Town Council, said: “Weymouth has a beautiful stretch of award-winning coastline which, as a town council, we are so proud to maintain.
"Thank you to Keep Britain Tidy for recognising our efforts and awarding us the Blue Flag and Seaside Award for summer 2024.
READ: Weymouth named best in The Times Best UK Beaches 2023
“With its wide, sandy beach, the crystal-clear shallow waters which kids just love to splash about in; the beach matting, toilets, showers, free drinking water; deckchairs and sunloungers; it’s such an amazing place.
“Well done to our staff for maintaining the beach all year round.”
Despite the latest awards there have been concerns raised about the sustainability of the beach.
As reported, pictures showed bins overflowing with rubbish at the weekend prompting local environmentalist Dave Taylor of Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project to describe it as ‘one of the worst states he has ever seen.’
When asked about the latest awards, he said: “It’s good we have the Blue Flag and good water quality, but I think it could be more sustainable – the council should say to business to not use plastics.
“It is good most of the time and during the day it is clean – the issue is that there is not much recycling – I am surprised that hasn’t been highlighted."
READ: 'Millions' of nurdles and microplastics on Weymouth Beach
Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE added: “Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards.
“The Blue Flag is the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas and, to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria."
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