Two coveted Blue Flags will continue to fly in the Vale
of Glamorgan
22 June 2012
Barry Island’s Whitmore Bay and Penarth Marina in the
Vale of Glamorgan have
once again been recognised for excellent environmental
standards for their respective beach and marina
facilities.
Both locations will proudly fly their blue flags, showing
residents and tourists that Whitmore Bay and Penarth Marina have
met stringent criteria during 2011-12.
Image - celebrating Blue Flag status on Whitmore Bay,
clockwise from top left, Colin Smith, Vale council works manager;
Cllr Neil Moore, Leader of the council; Cllr Lis Burnett, Cabinet
Member for Business Innovation, Regeneration and Economic
Development Planning and Transportation, including tourism and Cllr
Gwyn John, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks, Culture & Sports
Development.
Councillor Neil Moore, the Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan
Council said: "Across the world, Blue Flag status provides an
instantly recognisable guarantee that waterside locations meet
recognised standards including cleanliness, certain facilities,
readily available water safety information, a clear commitment to
environmental education and high standards of water quality for
bathing – to name but a few. I am delighted to confirm that we have
yet again maintained our double Blue Flag status in the Vale."
The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Cabinet Member for tourism,
Councillor Lis Burnett is similarly delighted with year on year
consistent standards achieved, saying: "Vale residents should be
proud of our double Blue Fag accolade as this will undoubtedly
continue to help boost tourism and the local economy.
"Along with the recent opening of the Wales Coast Path and
respected travel guide, ‘The Lonely Planet’ tipping the Welsh
coastline as their ‘best region on earth’ to visit in 2012; this is
yet something else, we in the Vale, can be especially proud
of."
Councillor Burnett continued: "We hope residents and visitors
enjoy all areas and facilities across the Vale, whichever part they
visit, but urge people to please help maintain the environment we
have worked hard to achieve. Simple things like taking litter home
to be recycled make a big difference to beaches, water quality and
public areas and will help to ensure Blue Flags continue to fly in
the Vale of Glamorgan for many years to come."
The council’s cleansing and waste staff, enforcement teams and
lifeguards are just some of the people who work closely with others
- such as the Penarth Marina Harbour Master, to make sure such
exceptional standards have been achieved in both Penarth and
Barry.
The Blue Flag programme is owned and run by the independent
non-profit organisation ‘Foundation for Environmental Education’
and managed in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy. Blue Flag status has been
awarded to a total of 43 beaches and five marinas across Wales.
For more information visit: www.blueflag.org or to contact the
Vale of Glamorgan Council view www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk,
email: visible@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
or telephone: 01446 700111.