Work programme to deliver East Yorkshire Beaches that are "best in Europe"

YORKSHIRE WATER has secured £110 million of funding to further upgrade its waste water facilities on the east coast.

A multi-million programme of work is being launched with the aim of turning Yorkshire’s beaches and bathing waters into the best in Europe. The five-year initiative will deliver environmental improvements along 50-miles of coastline, stretching from Withernsea to Staithes.

The aim is to ensure that Yorkshire’s bathing waters can achieve a new “excellent” standard due to come into force in 2015. Only where bathing waters met the new, tighter, environmental standard, would local councils be able to apply for the much coveted European Blue Flag.

Coun Steve Parnaby, OBE, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:

"Every year we are delighted to welcome visitors from all corners of the globe to the East Riding of Yorkshire. Many of these visitors are keen to enjoy our breathtaking coastline and we are determined that they should have the best possible stay and look forward to coming back again in future. Whether they come from the local area, from elsewhere in the UK, or from the rest of the world - we know how highly our visitors value safe, clean water. That is why we are pleased to be working so closely with our partners on this fantastic new scheme which will help to boost water quality along our coastline”

The prestigious Blue Flag is given to coastal destinations with the highest standards of water quality, cleanliness, safety, and environmental management. Hornsea and Withernsea were given the Blue Flag award in 2009 but were not on the list of 2010 winners.