Beaches edging closer to EU Bathing Water status

Beaches edging closer to EU Bathing Water status

24 February 2016

FOUR Lecale villages are celebrating a key step in their campaign to have local beaches nominated for prestigious cleaning bathing status.

Beaches at Kilclief, Ballyhornan, Coney Island and Killough have been nominated as candidates for EU Bathing Water status which would mean the water quality would have to meet stringent European standards of cleanliness.

The imminent nominations mark the latest stage in a three year campaign to have the Lecale coast beaches recognised in the same manner as beaches in North Down or on the North Coast. 

This week the local politicians helping the villages in their campaign expressed their delight that Newry, Mourne and Down Council had now finally agreed to submit applications under the EU directive. 

Downpatrick independent councillor Cadogan Enright, Ulster Unionist Robert Burgess from Rowallane and Sinn Féin’s Willie Clarke, of Newcastle, are all involved. Cadogan Enright said the campaign is all about water quality.

“When we get EU Bathing Water status it will mean that our local Lecale beaches will have the same stringent requirements that are currently found on the Gold Coast and North Coast,” he said. “And we can take action against the likes of NI Water for any infringement.

For councillor Burgess the recent setting up of a beach forum provides the perfect vehicle to advance the campaign.

“Along with Willie Clarke we have succeeded in setting up a Beach Forum to enhance environmental protections and tourism along the coast from Strangford Lough to Carlingford Lough and utilise the skills the council has built up in the Strangford and Lecale Partnership to deliver it,” he said.

The campaign has been supported throughout by South Down MLA, Chris Hazzard, who said the bathing water nomination is also about economic development.

“Four years ago the new sewerage treatment works at Ardtole in Ardglass was downgraded to a level two system, and the plans to pipe sewage there from other Lecale villages were scrapped,” said Mr Hazzard.

“The sewerage system serving all the settlements on the Gold Coast in North Down went ahead. The reason given was that the Department of the Environment has recognised the Gold Coasts’s beaches as EU bathing water beaches but refused to recognise any but Murlough and Tyrella on the Lecale Coast. 

“Lack of sewerage infrastructure here inhibits economic development in our area in a manner it does not do in North Down. This is unacceptable.”

The chairman of Kilclief Residents Association, Maurice Denvir has called on the public to come out and use the beaches to increase the chances of them achieving EU Bathing Water status.

“We are calling on all local families, community groups, sports clubs and youth groups to plan to use the three beaches after schools get out for the summer holidays this year in June, July and August,” he said.

“We want to ensure that we have the numbers required to get recognition for Killough, Ballyhornan and Kilclief.” 

Killough’s resident Kieron Black agreed and said: “All three beaches have nearby car-parking. Please use the bins provided or take your rubbish home so we don’t spoil our chances. The eight key weekends when the EU inspectors come out are those in July and the first part of August.”