Sussex Beaches Recognised With National Awards

Beaches in Hastings and Worthing have been recognised with national awards following inspections by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Worthing is once again flying the flag of the special Seaside Award after achieving the highest standards of beach management for the sixth year running.

The award, which is overseen by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, rewards the best coastlines in the country after an assessment of their management, safety and services.

Although the Council is delighted to achieve the Seaside Award, it remains committed to achieving the Blue Flag - an award that also takes water quality into account, whereby no industrial, wastewater or sewage related discharges impact the beach area.

Rob Dove, Senior Coastal Warden, pictured with Cllr Vicki Wells 

However, the Council is currently unable to submit an application which could be considered successful for the award until further opportunities to monitor the coastline’s water quality are provided by the Environment Agency.

Cllr Vicki Wells, Worthing’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:

“Firstly, I’d like to say a huge thank you to our fantastic and dedicated Coastal Office team, and Worthing’s passionate community whose hard work has helped us retain the Seaside Award for yet another year.

“However, to ensure our coastal waters are clean and healthy for wildlife and people alike requires as much water quality monitoring as possible.

“We'll be working with the Environment Agency and Southern Water to make sure our waters are better for everyone and everything that uses them.”

The Council wants to thank the host of dedicated community groups, individuals and local businesses that voluntarily support beach cleans throughout the year and have helped in making this year’s Seaside Award possible.

Community clean-up events are also being hosted by the Council as part of The Big Clean-up scheme, which invites locals to help keep the town’s coastline, streets and parks looking their best.

Only last week, more than 50 residents turned out for a foreshore litter pick - a testament to the local love for Worthing’s coastline.

Hastings' Marina and Pelham beaches have also been recognised with national awards.

Marina beach has retained Blue Flag status for another year, this is an international award presented to well managed beaches with excellent water quality. Marina and Pelham beaches have also been given the Seaside Award, this acknowledges the best beaches in England and celebrates the quality and diversity of our coastline.

 Cllr Paul Barnett, Leader of Hastings Borough Council, said:

"To have retained Blue Flag status for Marina beach and been given Seaside Awards for both beaches again is a significant achievement for our borough. As a council, we work hard alongside local volunteers to keep our beaches clean, so it is great to see this work being recognised.

"If you are visiting our beautiful beaches this summer, please do your part in helping to keep them clean by using the bins provided for your litter or taking it home with you. You can report any litter you do see to us easily at my.hastings.gov.uk."

 Cllr Andy Batsford, lead councillor for Health and Culture at Hastings Borough Council, added:

"We are delighted that our town's beaches have received these awards, and we are looking forward to another summer season, welcoming lots of tourists to our beaches and town.

"These beaches are in great locations, at Pelham beach you have Hastings Castle overlooking you from West Hill and Hastings Town Centre just a short walk away, along with the fantastic arcades, shops, and cafes in the quirky Old Town. At the Marina beach, you have lots of unique shops, cafes, and galleries, so there's always plenty to see and do here in Hastings.

"If you're visiting the beach, please make sure you read the RNLI's beach safety advice so you can have a safe visit."

 For more information on beaches in Hastings visit https://www.hastings.gov.uk/coastlinebeaches.