Warning over loss of North's blue flags beaches

The North will be the only place in Europe without a single Blue Flag beach by 2007 it was warned today.

Tidy Northern Ireland said the British government had withdrawn the funding needed for a beach officer to monitor beach standards and next summer will be the last time a blue flag will be flown on a beach in the North unless someone else comes up with the cash.

Ian Cole of Tidy Northern Ireland said he had approached several local and national organisations seeking funding but with no success so far.

He has now written to the 11 local councils whose areas contain coastal beaches, and the National Trust, suggesting they might like to provide the funding.

“It’s up to them whether they want Blue Flag beaches or not. If they do they may have to share the cost of a beach officer.”

Tidy NI is not looking for a fortune – such an officer would cost between £24,000 (€35,400) and £30,000 (€44,000) a year depending on whether the post was full or part time, said Mr Cole.

The officer would advise on how to maintain beaches to international standards.

Removal of Blue Flag status would not automatically mean standards will drop - however it is an indication to visitors, particularly tourists, that a beach is of a good clean standard.

The North has eight such beaches: Ballycastle; Benone Strand; Cranfield West; Portstewart Strand; Portrush West Strand; Portrush Whiterocks; Tyrella and Downhill.