Issued: 2 June 2009
Montrose Wins Blue Flag For Fifth Consecutive Year
Two Angus beaches - Montrose and Carnoustie - have gained awards in the Keep Scotland Beautiful seaside award programme, it was announced yesterday, 1 June.
Montrose beach has consistently achieved Seaside Award status for six years and Blue Flag status for five years - one of only seven beaches in Scotland to be awarded this international accreditation - while Carnoustie has received Seaside Award status since 2006.
The Seaside Award programme has been recognising Scotland's beaches for litter management, information provision, risk assessment and safety procedures, and water quality for 17 years, while the Blue Flag is recognised in 40 countries worldwide and those that achieve the accolade must ensure all facilities are clean and environmental management and information provision standards are excellent.
Angus Council has been fully committed to the two beach award schemes Keep Scotland Beautiful offer during the six years it has been involved.
Convener of neighbourhood services, Councillor Jim Millar said: "I am delighted that two of our lovely Angus beaches have received these awards and hope that they will be enjoyed by visitors and local people alike during the next few months. We hope that everyone will continue to keep our beaches looking good by thoughtfully disposing of their litter."
John Summers OBE, Chief Executive of KSB welcomed the announcement. He said, "Recognising continually improving standards and sustainable management the beach awards are becoming increasingly difficult to hold on to and I would like to pay tribute to all the hard work that goes in to achieving these awards by local authorities and communities.
"Today's announcement is great news as it means the people of, and visitors to, Angus have a great choice of well managed beaches to visit this summer. And in our current economic climate, maybe it is time we rediscovered what our own country has to offer."
A map showing all the award winning beaches with descriptions, directions, facilities and pictures can be found at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/coastal.