Nine new bathing beaches opened as green watchdog looks for 24 more

Nine beaches have been unveiled as new official bathing waters as the Environment Agency has published proposals that water companies should improve 24 bathing waters between 2020-2025.

The new bathing spots emerged from suggestions from councils, feedback from public consultations and a decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The improvements to 24 other beaches come as part of Environment Agency advice to firms on the investment they should be making to protect the environment. It said it was seeking to add to the improvements in infrastructure arising from water company investment of some £2.5 billion on improvements at swimming beaches.

These included measures to protect water quality as well as being more resilience to flooding and potential water shortages.

One of the new beaches is in Bournemouth, Manor Steps beach with the remaining eight in Cornwall: South Fistral beach in Newquay, Booby’s Bay near Trevose Head, Mexico Towan, Upton Towan and Godrevy, all situated on a long stretch of dunes in St Ives Bay, Northcott Mouth beach to the north of Bude, Gwynver Beach which forms part Whitesand Bay and Tregonhawke in Whitesand Bay.