| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 03/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 37 |
| Copyright: Other |
Nice and clean: the coast at Tresaith
Welsh beaches gain Blue Flags
WALES has been awarded a record number of European Blue Flags for its beaches, marinas and its coastline.In total, 22 of its beaches and seven of its marinas won Blue Flags, and Wales received 25 Green Coast Awards under the scheme operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Last year, just 12 beaches in Wales were awarded Blue Flags and it received only eight Green Coast Awards. It received the same number of Blue Flags for its marinas as this year.
Wales Tourist Board chairman Philip Evans said that the increase in Blue Flags was due to the success of the Green Sea Partnership, which was set up four years ago to upgrade beach facilities to Blue Flag standards.
“The remarkable success of the partnership is due to the fact that it is an alliance of over 40 bodies, committed to safeguarding and enhancing the coastal environment of Wales,” said Evans.
Since the launch of the partnership, the number of Blue Flag Awards and Green Coast Awards in Wales has risen from just four in 1996 to 54 this year.