Sandown Beach has been awarded a prestigious Blue Flag for the first time in years – and is the only Isle of Wight beach to be awarded such honour in 2021.
Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has today (Friday) announced the winners of the Blue Flag and Seaside Awards, with Sandown being 1 of just 76 beaches across the UK to be recognised with a Blue Flag.
The international Blue Flag and the UK Seaside Awards are the quality marks for our beaches and mean those visiting them can be sure that they are clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as the tough international bathing water quality standards.
In years gone by, Sandown was a regular receiptant of the flag but the Isle of Wight Council stopped submitting local beaches due to cost-cutting. So, in recognition of how important UK beaches will be this Summer as the country is unlocked, Sandown Town Council applied for a Blue Flag directly instead.
Back in 2015 – just 6 years ago – the Isle of Wight boasted 4 such beaches; Colwell, Sandown, Ventnor and Yaverland.
Mayor Gary Young has said:
“Receiving Blue Flag status for Sandown is a tremendous achievement and we think we are the only beach on the Island to get the Blue Flag this year, and possibly the first Town or Parish Council on the Island ever to be recognised this way.
“All involved deserve a big thank you.
Article continues below this advertisement “This status contributes to a safe summer for residents and visitors to Sandown”.
The opening of a brand new, £10million Premier Inn hotel will hopefully boost visitor numbers to the area.
Elsewhere on the Island, Seaside Awards have been given to Springvale, Seagrove Bay and Shanklin.
Shanklin Mayor Steve Knight said:
“We are delighted to secure this national award for a further year, as it’s been a very challenging year for everyone, and we hope it helps attract locals and holidaymakers to Shanklin and the Bay, for a safe and sunny summer break”.
I feel like I’m in the twilight zone reading a story like this. Sandown gets these top awards for its coastline (bravo), and yet the town can’t stay out of the news for crime and dilapidation.
Are there two different places?
Yes, one is a beach and the other isn’t.
Good to see a positive story about my home town,best beach on the island by far, you can’t take the sand out of sandown!
dirty sand that stains your clothes
Why do some people talk such bollox,how the hell did this country win two world wars?
They could of got a tractor down to clean the sand 1st before the photo was shot ,still good luck sandown for a good season