Blackpool beach has received an international quality mark for the second time.

The stretch of beach at Blackpool South has this morning been once again named in the prestigious global list of Blue Flag beaches that includes the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific coastline.



The award recognises coastal destinations that boast the highest quality of water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management.

The beach which is located opposite Blackpool Pleasure Beach, originally became eligible for Blue Flag status in 2015 after being classed as having ‘excellent’ sea water quality by the Environment Agency. It went on to achieve the accolade for the first time last year.

Three other areas of beach in Blackpool have also been granted Seaside Awards for the fourth successive year, giving the resort an entire coastline of award winning beaches.

John Blackledge, Blackpool Council’s Director of Community and Environmental Services, said: “Today’s news is the result of years of work to improve the quality of the town’s sea water. Everyone involved should be extremely proud.

“The Blue Flag is a sign to everyone that the beach is among the finest in the country and on a par with world renowned sites across the globe.

“This is another boost to our local economy as we secure our position as the UK’s number one seaside resort.

“It was wonderful news when the beach received its first Blue Flag. To retain that status this year is testimony to the ongoing heavy investment that is being made coupled with the hard work of many businesses, public sector partners, communities and hundreds of volunteers who have joined in with the LOVEmyBEACH campaign.”

The public LOVEmyBEACH campaign has helped to improve sea water quality, with messages around looking after the water reaching thousands of people across the North West, as well as hundreds of volunteers doing Fylde coast beach cleans and many local businesses signing up to be responsible companies.

On top of the Blue Flag at Blackpool South, Blackpool North beach opposite the Tower, Blackpool Central beach and Bispham beach have also been given Seaside Award status.

The Blue Flag scheme is run across the world but administered in the UK by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Keep Britain Tidy’s, Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton said: “The success of Blackpool South in reaching the very high standards demanded by the Blue Flag is testament to all those who have worked so hard to create a fantastic beach for holiday-makers and locals alike.

“When you enjoy a day on the beach flying a Blue Flag, you know you are on one of the safest, cleanest and very best beaches in the country.”

Since 2011 the Fylde Peninsula Water Management Partnership, made up of public and private sector companies, has worked to increase investment in the area’s sewer network, as well as creating teams of volunteers and businesses to look after the Fylde Coast’s sea.

United Utilities has invested more than £600m since the early 1990s on schemes to capture and treat wastewater along the Fylde Coast and the Ribble Estuary.

Now a further £100m programme of work is underway at Anchorsholme Park and the South Shore area of Blackpool. This is set to bring even more improvements to bathing waters by 2018.

The Environment Agency carries out water quality sampling throughout the bathing water season. All beach goers are encouraged to check bathing waters results at https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/ and follow advice on signs at the beach to help keep the water clean.

To find out more about the work being undertaken across the North West to improve bathing water quality, visit www.lovemybeach.org.