LIFEGUARDS at Barry Island are urging visitors to respect safety laws at the Vale of Glamorgan’s latest Blue Flag beach.
Whitmore Bay, Barry Island’s main beach, and Penarth Marina both received the prestigious Blue Flag as part of the Keep Wales Tidy Seaside Awards 2016.
Alan Wood, RNLI lifeguard at Whitmore Bay, said: “The award is important for the town and resort because it will attract people to the beach.
“It will make us busier but that’s a good thing. Look for the safety signs that are on the beach and try and swim between the red and yellow flags.”
The Blue Flag award is given to beaches, marinas and boats that have the highest quality of water, safety and services, environmental education and management.
It is an international award run by the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE), guaranteeing beach quality in 49 countries across the globe.
Vale of Glamorgan councillor, Gwyn John, cabinet member for Visible, Leisure and Regulatory Services, said: “The council is absolutely delighted to be able to announce that both Whitmore Bay at Barry Island and Penarth Marina will this year be flying blue flags in recognition of the high quality of the water at the resorts.
“Our resort management and tourism teams work tirelessly all year round to make our seaside resorts attractions that the whole Vale can be proud of and these awards represent much deserved recognition of their hard work.
“Last year saw over 300,000 visitors to Barry Island and with the resort continuing to go from strength to strength we expect even more on the promenade this year… and hopefully now a good number of those dipping their toes in the water too.”
