Six East Devon beaches win national awards
The beaches of Beer, Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth, Seaton, and Sidmouth have all achieved the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Award standards, with Sidmouth's Jacobs Ladder also earning a Seaside Award
For the past seven years, the Blue Flag has proudly flown during the bathing season at Exmouth, while Sidmouth marks its sixth, Seaton its fourth, and Beer its third year of recognition.
The Blue Flag signifies a commitment to exceptional beach management, including beach safety, waste management, accessibility, environmental education, and water quality. Achieving this prestigious status requires meeting rigorous international standards.
To improve beach access for residents and visitors with mobility issues, track matting has again been installed by East Devon District Council (EDDC). The track matting will be in place until late September at:
- The eastern end of Seaton beach
- Sidmouth Town beach
- Budleigh Salterton beach
Beer beach benefits from having track matting all year round.
The track matting is partly made from recycled material and creates a smooth path across the pebbles, making it easier to access the beach for mobility scooter, wheelchair and pushchair users, and people who are unsteady on their feet.
Councillor Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council's Portfolio Holder for Coast, Country and Environment, said: "Our beaches are vitally important for both our residents and visitors, and while they appear naturally stunning, their upkeep demands tremendous effort from our staff, partners, local businesses, and committed volunteers. Retaining our Blue Flags is a testament to their dedication, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this ongoing work.
“We are delighted that our beaches have once again achieved this prestigious national benchmark, confirming their safety and appeal for everyone to enjoy."
Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “In England we are lucky enough to have some of the best beaches in the world. It’s wonderful to see the flags flying proudly over six beaches in East Devon, demonstrating their quality to residents and visitors alike.
“The awards are a credit to the collective efforts of beach and site managers, volunteers, residents and businesses who should take pride today in their tireless efforts to maintain, protect and improve some of our best-loved and most popular blue spaces.
“Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards.”
For more information about Blue Flag, Seaside Awards and water quality, please visit EDDC’s website: Blue Flag and Seaside Awards - FAQs.
The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches.
Blue Flag, the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas, is an environmental education programme managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education.
I and, to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.
Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.
Among the criteria beaches are assessed against are:
- Safety and services, such as first aid, lifeguards where necessary
- Environmental information including displaying details about local eco systems
- Environmental management, including litter and waste.
- Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive and Seaside Award winners must meet the 'sufficient’ standard.
