Westcliff Beach Downgraded - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Westcliff Beach Downgraded – WESTCLIFF’S beach has been stripped of its Blue Flag status, after its water quality was downgraded.

Westcliff Beach Downgraded - WESTCLIFF’S beach has been stripped of its Blue Flag status, after its water quality was downgraded.

WESTCLIFF’S beach has been stripped of its Blue Flag status, after its water quality was downgraded.

Blue Flags recognise beaches and marinas across the world, but bathing water must have an “excellent” water quality to be receive the status.

Following a recent inspection, Westcliff Bay’s water has been downgraded to “good, resulting in the loss of the Blue Flag accolade.

It comes after campaigns and concerns have raised the alarm about sewage spills from local water company’s outlets.

Blue Flags are awarded every May, with East Beach, Shoebury Common and Three Shells currently boasting the status.

Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford, and David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, have both commented on the recent situation, expressing concern and disappointment.

Mr Alaba said: “While I am pleased to see standards improving in Thorpe Bay, the loss of Blue Flag status for Westcliff Bay beach is a huge blow.

“I am deeply disappointed water quality is not hitting the gold standard we’ve always prided ourselves upon.

“We must work with providers and apply pressure where needed to drive standards back up to an ‘excellent’ rating, and win back our Blue Flag.”

Southend West and Leigh MP, David Burton-Sampson said: “We were aware there was a possibility Westcliff Beach could lose its Blue Flag status due to water quality testing during 2023 and I’m disappointed this has now happened.

“This highlights the importance of all stakeholders working together, coordinated through our Water Quality Summits, to ensure all our beaches achieve the year-round excellent standard we expect and deserve. This is our steadfast commitment.”

Anglian Water bosses are now reportedly carrying out investigations to determine if any other factors impacted the beach results.

A spokesperson for Anglian Water said: “We are disappointed Southend’s Westcliff Bay bathing water has been downgraded from ‘excellent’ to ‘good’ this year.

“We’re carrying out investigations into the surface water network nearby to determine whether it impacted this result. We’re already working in partnership with local authorities, MPs and campaigners in Southend, through our regular Water Summits.

“As part of this work, we have committed to year-round bathing water testing, and carried out a very detailed overflow audit working with Southend Council and Southend Against Sewage.

“We’re also pleased to be working with Southend Council, the Regional Flood Coastal Committee and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the Marine Parade Sustainable Water Management Scheme.

“This will help alleviate flooding in Southend – and reduce the use of storm overflows – by managing much of this surface water.”

Picture: A Blue Flag

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