No Blue Flags again for Yorkshire resort

One of Yorkshire's most popular resorts will not fly Blue Flags on its beaches again this year.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) told the BBC it recognised Bridlington's north and south beaches "did not meet the criteria", so had not applied for the accolades.

The authority said it was working with other organisations on "a number of improvements".

In 2024, council officials said improving water quality was a "matter of urgency".

Hornsea and Withernsea both retained their Blue Flags.

Bridlington North, along with Wilsthorpe and South Landing at Flamborough, earned Seaside Awards, which recognise water quality while focusing more broadly on a well-managed, clean and safe beach experience for visitors.

In 2024, Bridlington South beach was given a poor water quality rating for the third year running.

An Environment Agency report found seabird droppings were the "main contributor" to pollution.

On Thursday, the Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership, comprising the Environment Agency (EA), EYRC, North Yorkshire Council and Yorkshire Water, said it was working to improve bathing water quality.

A spokesperson for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: "The status at both Bridlington south and north beaches remains as 2024.

"The Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership is working on a number of improvements, including an awareness campaign with the public to discourage feeding the gulls and to stop littering.

"It is hoped this will encourage them back to their natural environment on the cliff faces."

Miles Cameron, Yorkshire Water's bathing water manager, added: "Our beaches and coastline are really important to us and to our customers."

As well as the bird droppings, he said the EA report identified an "increase in human impact potentially from Yorkshire Water assets following rainfall events".

He said the firm was investing £40m to upgrade storm overflows at both the north and south beaches in Bridlington, with an additional £60m being spent on upgrades to the town's waste-water treatment works.

It is the fourth year running that Hornsea has been awarded a Blue Flag, and the second year in a row for Withernsea.

Councillor Barbara Jefferson, the council's cabinet member for heritage and coastal, said: "It is fantastic news that Hornsea and Withernsea can fly Blue Flags this year and that three more of our beaches have been given Seaside Awards.

"They have all been recognised for meeting high standards and this shows that we have excellent beaches in the East Riding for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Keep Britain Tidy, which runs the Blue Flag scheme, recognises UK beaches if they meet high standards in quality, cleanliness, safety, and have a range of facilities for the public.

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