Just two Sussex Beaches won a blue flag: but why did the rest miss out?

But city leaders have vowed to bring back the prestigious honour to Brighton and Hove’s beaches next year.

Littlehampton and West Wittering beaches were yesterday named among the best in the world.

Yet not a single council in the greater Brighton area — stretching from the city to Worthing – even applied for the awards, which are the international hallmark of the world’s best beaches.

Brighton and Hove’s five beaches, Kemptown, Central, Hove and Saltdean all scored excellent water quality assessments under the Environment Agency’s bathing water testing results and already have most of the facilities required to achieve the awards.

But a spokesman for the city council said it “prefers to focus our efforts on ensuring our beaches and seafront are clean, safe and welcoming” to completing the “complex and lengthy process” of applying for the awards.

Following from The Argus Seafront 2020 campaign – which is calling for collaboration over the regeneration of the Sussex seafront strip, city leaders have now called for the beaches to be returned to their former glory and strive to achieve the top awards next year.

The city council’s new Labour administration promised restoring our beaches would be “a priority”.

Environment and transport committee chairwoman elect Councillor Gill Mitchell, pictured inset, told The Argus they will be fighting to restore the flags next year.

She said: “It certainly is something we want to see.

“That is going to be one of our main priorities. We want to know why no application was made in the last few years and why the council didn’t apply.

“What were the factors that lead to that decision being made?

“Not having these awards absolutely sows a seed of doubt in people’s minds that maybe our beaches aren’t great.

“We certainly will be looking to bring them back – I know residents will be right behind this.”

Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership executive director Gavin Stewart said: “Having Blue Flags would be a great thing for the city. It is something that would be good for the city and certainly something we would love to be involved in.”

Kemptown MP Simon Kirby said: “I would encourage Brighton and Hove City Council to apply.

“Tourism brings nearly a £1billion into Brighton and Hove every year and the beaches are an integral part of what we are offering.

“We should be doing all we can encourage people to come and spend money in Brighton and Hove.” Mr Kirby added that he feared people would jump to the conclusion that the beaches are not up to scratch if they do not have Blue Flags. Last week it was revealed that Lancing and Hastings were expected to fail to meet tough new standards for water quality.

The Environment Agency is bringing in tough new tests this summer.

The tough new rules mean the beaches may have to display signs telling bathers it is not safe to swim.

A spokesman for Adur and Worthing said concerns over water quality had led them to decide not to apply this year.

Newhaven’s West Beach could not be entered because it is closed to the public after losing its Supreme Court battle with French owners Newhaven Port and Properties in February.

A Lewes District Council spokeswoman said: “Our beaches meet the EU standards of bathing water quality. The council does not take part in the blue flag accreditation scheme.”

What the blue flag means

THE Blue Flag awards are the international quality mark for beaches, acting as a guarantee that a beach is among the finest in the world.

To comply, beaches must meet a list of more than 30 different criteria, including:

• Maintaining the highest water quality over a period of two years
• Displaying signage about safety, byelaws and the local environment
• Be kept clean
• Have no waste water or sewage outlets
• Have no plastic floating in the water
• Have suitable facilities including toilets and bins
• Be accessible
• Have at least two lifeguards every 200m

The two Sussex award-winners

THE beach is privately owned by the West Wittering Estate – home to the likes of Keith Richards – but it is open to the public – a criteria required to comply with the awards.

The estate applies for the Blue Flag every year – despite the lengthy process.

A spokeswoman said: “It is quite a lengthy process looking at water quality and management.”

Keep Britain Tidy – which awards the county’s winning beaches their honour – said: “With a wonderful stretch of open countryside behind a natural non-commercialised sandy beach, West Wittering is a favourite destination for a family day out.

“Swimming and paddling are popular in the sandy tidal pools and the area is a mecca for wind and kite surfers. In summer this unique site can accommodate crowds yet provide solitude.

“The area is internationally recognised for its wild natural beauty and wildlife.”

Award judges praised Littlehampton Coastguards beach for its “large shingle beach giving way to sand at low tide and picturesque areas of hinterland”.

They added: “Devoted management initiatives have ensured cleanliness and good facilities in the area. An added bonus is the coastguard tower overlooking the beach with its up-to-date first aid/lost children centre unit nearby. Ideally suited for families and all age groups, the beach boasts a modern funfair and theme park.

“The seafront also accommodates the award winning East Beach Cafe designed by Thomas Heatherwick.”

Arun District Council chairman, Dougal Maconachie said: “This is great news for Arun and is a sign of our commitment to keeping our beaches clean and safe for both tourists and locals alike.

“It’s a proud day for all of us.”

Seafront 2020: Our campaign

LIKE our readers The Argus cares about our unique environment, the combination of factors which make our communities the UK’s most attractive to live in.

But to preserve their special status this newspaper believes it is time for co-ordinated action, for people of vision to outline the medium term future of our city and towns and natural spaces. The seafronts give us our livelihoods and wellbeing.

Yet it could be argued that pressures are rising, with investment needed to avoid decline in our infrastructure.

Piecemeal action will not be enough.

A coherent programme is needed all along the Sussex coast, from Hastings in the east to Bognor in the west, to ensure we win support and funds for a vision that has our seafront evolving, embracing the new but preserving the heritage that gives us its unique character.

This is not just a project for our politicians and leaders, but for all of us.

We are all passionate about this wonderful place we live in. We all have a voice and a role to play in protecting its future.