Two Blue Flags For The Vale Of Glamorgan

Five seaside locations in the Vale of Glamorgan have received national coast awards, including two prestigious Blue Flag awards, as part of Keep Wales Tidy’s Seaside Awards 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Both Whitmore Bay, Barry Island’s main beach, and Penarth Marina received Blue Flags in this year’s awards. While Southerdown, Cold Knap, and Barry Island’s other beach Jackson’s Bay all scooped awards. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Gwyn John, Cabinet Member for Visible, Leisure and Regulatory Services, said: “The Vale of Glamorgan Council is absolutely delighted to be able to announce that both Whitmore Bay at Barry Island and Penarth Marina will this year be flying blue flags in recognition of the high quality of the water at the resorts. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Our resort management and tourism teams work tirelessly all year round to make our seaside resorts attractions that the whole Vale can be proud of and these awards represent much deserved recognition of their hard work. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Last year saw over 300,000 visitors to Barry Island and with the resort continuing to go from strength to strength we expect even more on the promenade this year… and hopefully now a good number of those dipping their toes in the water too.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The prestigious Blue Flag for beaches is acknowledged in 46 countries around the world. The Blue Flag awards are owned by the Federation for Environmental Education and managed in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy. The programme aims to raise environmental awareness and promote good environmental behaviour among tourists and local populations and best practice among beach and marina management staff. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​