Oh we do like to be beside the Thanet seaside

• 10 of Thanet’s beaches named as best in GB by Keep Britain Tidy

Thanet has once again been named as having some of the best beaches in Britain as results from Keep Britain Tidy’s annual Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are announced.

The national jury has recognised the following beaches in Thanet with a 2018 award:

Blue Flag

• Botany Bay
• Margate Main Sands
• Minnis Bay
• St Mildred’s Bay
• Stone Bay
• West Bay

Seaside Award

• Joss Bay
• Ramsgate Main Sands
• Viking Bay
• Westbrook Bay

These awards are quality marks for Thanet’s beaches and mean that those visiting can be sure that they are clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as the tough international bathing water quality standards.

Cllr Savage, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Coastal Development at Thanet District Council said:

“Thanet is one of the UK’s fastest growing tourism economies and our beautiful, sandy beaches help us attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. We are delighted that 10 of them have been recognised by Keep Britain Tidy as amongst the country’s best. These awards are emblematic of the team’s commitment and dedication to keeping our beaches clean and safe for everyone to enjoy.

“With an action packed events programme this summer, there has never been a better time to live in or visit the Isle of Thanet.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said:

“The success of the 148 beaches in reaching the very high standards demanded by both awards is testament to all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve our beaches – from beach managers and volunteers to local people and businesses.

“When you enjoy a trip to a beach flying an international Blue Flag or Seaside Award, you know you are on one of the safest, cleanest and very best in the country.”

Thanet District Council actively encourages people to take part in the national #2minutebeachclean campaign and has clean-up stations at beaches across the district. Simply clearing up the small area of the beach you’ve spent time on really helps reduce the amount of litter. The council also has a dedicated Educational Officer who goes into schools and talks with pupils about the impact that litter has on our beaches and the ocean.

Notes to editors

• This year environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy is presenting 190 awards to England’s very best beaches, including 65 international Blue Flags and 125 Seaside Awards (eight more than last year), with 42 beaches achieving both awards. This includes awards to Thanet District Council’s ten award winning beaches.
• The Seaside Award is run by Keep Britain Tidy and recognises and rewards beaches in England that achieve the highest standards of beach management and, in the case of bathing beaches, meet the required standards for water quality.
• While not eligible for an award, it is pleasing to note that Walpole Bay’s water quality has been recorded as sufficient, an improvement that now means ‘advice against bathing’ signs can be removed.