Teignbridge retains prestigious seaside awards
Dawlish Warren has achieved Blue Flag status for the 18th year running.
Teignbridge District Council is pleased to announce the popular beach can continue to proudly fly the prestigious flag in the internationally recognised award scheme.
Alongside Dawlish Warren’s achievement, Keep Britain Tidy’s high-profile Seaside Awards have been awarded to Teignmouth Town Beach, Coryton Cove at Dawlish and Ness Cove, Shaldon.
The announcements come as a major boost as the busy tourist season gets underway, with beaches and resorts expecting a lively bank holiday weekend.
The internationally renowned Blue Flag is only presented to those beaches which pass the very strictest of criteria for environmental management, visitor facilities, cleanliness and clean bathing waters, meaning residents and visitors can expect a high quality experience.
Blue Flag winners are allowed to fly their flag during the bathing season and must display their water quality along with facilities provided on ‘easy to read’ beach signage. Award winners are monitored regularly, with the flag taken down if standards drop.
With only select beaches meeting the strict Blue Flag criteria, it is testament to the commitment of leisure and resorts staff that Dawlish Warren can fly the flag for the 18th consecutive year.
Backed by sand dunes, Dawlish Warren offers more than just a traditional bucket and spade beach – it also boasts an internationally protected National Nature Reserve, green space, amusements, shops, pubs and cafes.
In further good news for the Teignbridge coastline, the trio of Coryton Cove, Teignmouth Town Beach and Ness Cove have all won Seaside Awards – something they have achieved every year since the Keep Britain Tidy scheme launched in 2008.
Celebrating the quality and diversity of England’s coastline, the scheme is the nationwide standard for the best beaches across the UK. Only awarded to beaches which achieve very high quality standards, excellent cleanliness, safe access and appropriate signage, it is further testament to the hard work put in by Teignbridge’s leisure and resort staff
All the awards reassure residents and visitors that they can look forward to some of Teignbridge’s best loved beaches, with a confidence that their visit will be both safe and enjoyable as all the beaches have to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, safety and management.
Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Leisure Cllr George Gribble, said:
“Dawlish Warren’s award of a Blue Flag for the 18th year running and Seaside Awards for Coryton Cove, Teignmouth Town Beach and Shaldon Cove mean we can proudly provide safe, quality beaches for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“These prestigious awards will help attract visitors to our wonderful coastline and give traders, the local community and Teignbridge staff a huge boost ahead of the bank holiday weekend and busy summer season.
“A big thank you to goes to Teignbridge District Council's dedicated resorts staff and rangers, local traders, partners and visitors for their continual efforts in ensuring our beaches meet the stringent standards so we can retain these high-profile awards.”
Helen Scott, Chairman of Dawlish Warren Tourism, said:
“We are delighted that Dawlish Warren Beach has received the Blue Flag Award for the 18th consecutive year. This shows consistent high quality bathing standards and is a credit to the local tourism industry. Our thanks go out to the many people who work tirelessly to keep the resort clean and tidy.”
The awards have been welcomed by Teignbridge District Council's ward members.
Cllr Lisa Mayne, ward member for Dawlish Central and North East, said:
"A big thank you to Teignbridge's Resorts Manager Sarah Leech and the team on helping Dawlish Warren fly the blue flag for the 18th successful year. This is such a fantastic achievement."
Cllr Graham Price, ward member for Dawlish Central and North East, said:
"This is a just and fitting reward for the consistent hard work and faith shown in the resort by Teignbridge District Council, Dawlish Town Council and all the Warren traders.
"The continuing improvements and investments have enabled the resort to attract new visitors and retain the all important repeat business which is vital for the health of the businesses but also the financial health of the area."
Cllr Rosalind Prowse, ward member for Dawlish South West said:
"Once again I am delighted that our beaches have won Blue Flag and Seaside Awards. A big thank you to Teignbridge's resorts team for the work they do to make this possible. Tourism continues to be a high priority for Teignbridge as we welcome holiday makers and locals to our shores."
Cllr Graham Price, ward member for Dawlish Central and North East, said:
"This is a just and fitting reward for the consistent hard work and faith shown in the resort by Teignbridge District Council, Dawlish Town Council and all the Warren traders.
"The continuing improvements and investments have enabled the resort to attract new visitors and retain the all important repeat business which is vital for the health of the businesses but also the financial health of the area."
Cllr Chris Clarance, ward member for Shaldon and Stokeinteignhead said:
"With a unique position reached by the Smugglers Tunnel, Shaldon's Ness Cove is one of the great tourist beaches to visit whilst in South Devon."
Cllr Sylvia Russell, ward member for Teignmouth East, said:
"To achieve the Seaside Award for another year is great news and recognises the hard work of Teignbridge resorts staff in making sure Teignmouth Town Beach is maintained to the highest standard. Coupled with receiving a pass for our bathing waters, the public can be assured that our ongoing aim is to achieve the highest standards of beach management and bathing waters compliance into the future."
