The bathing conditions at Wealden’s two beaches have been classed as “excellent” according to the latest EU monitoring programme carried out by the Environment Agency—Wealden District Council, 20 April 2016
“Pevensey and Birling Gap provide two stunning seaside locations, and the news that both offer excellent bathing water for swimmers and paddlers alike is most welcome,” said Councillor Claire Dowling, Cabinet member for Public Health and Community Safety.
“Both beaches provide an exciting location for tourists and residents to relax and enjoy outdoor activities.”
“Pevensey’s ‘Excellent’ bathing water rating is particularly heartening in view of the work that is being carried out by the Cuckmere and Pevensey Levels Catchment Partnership to improve water quality and the ecology in the catchment area which drains out into the English Channel at Pevensey,” added Councillor Dowling.
The Council provides a marked-out bathing area using buoys to help bathers at Pevensey Bay.
Weekly measurements of water quality at both beaches are taken from May to September by the Environment Agency, and are then given an annual classification of ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’ or ‘poor’ based on measurements taken over a four year period. Both Wealden beaches have been given a classification of “excellent.”
Another environmental success story has taken place on the River Cuckmere behind Birling Gap. The Cuckmere and Pevensey Levels Catchment Partnership has been carrying out changes to Sessingham Weir, near Arlington, to improve the water flow, and the ecological habitat by allowing unimpeded passage for fish to travel in order to spawn.
A full list of the English Bathing water directive classifications can be found in on the Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs website
IMAGE CREDIT: Wealden District Council
