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Search forHoliday beach is forced to lower its coveted flag
Saturday, August 23, 2008, 07:00
Torbay Council claims heavy rain has meant that water quality levels have fallen 'just below' the stringent tests to meet the Blue Flag criteria.
It comes just months after the beach was awarded the coveted status for the first time in 20 years.
Deputy mayor Cllr Kevin Carroll said that Torbay Council was 'disappointed' with the news.
He said: "We were delighted when Paignton beach was able to fly the Blue Flag for the first time earlier this year.
"Despite the loss of this flag, Torbay still has the most Blue Flags in the South West and the second highest number in the country.
"Our team works incredibly hard to keep all our beaches around Torbay clean and safe and the fact that locals and tourists enjoy our beaches so much is proof that they are excellent."
The most recent water quality results were received on Friday.
It means that the beach has exceeded the number of below-standard readings taken by the Environment Agency but the quality is still considered good.
Heavy rains were also blamed for the pollution scare which closed Torre Abbey Sands and Preston beach earlier this month.
And the bad news for Paignton comes after the partial closure of the Pier during the peak season.
Structural repairs affected the popular tourist attraction for a month.
All Torbay's Blue Flag beaches are monitored to ensure the they meet the stringent criteria set by Environmental Campaigns.
They have to pass strict criteria including access, facilities on offer, good litter management and bathing water quality.
Paignton was one of seven resort beaches awarded the Blue Flag in June.
Others are at Oddicombe, Meadfoot, Preston, Goodrington, Broadsands and Breakwater.
A spokesman for the council stressed that despite the blow, the waters were still more than safe to swim in.
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