Concerned town councillors in Burnham-On-Sea have this week expressed concern after the town was recently named as one of 45 in the UK where sea swimming is set to be banned from 2015 due to the introduction of new EU rules which are twice as stringent as those currently in force.
Burnham faces having to put up signs marking its beach as unfit for paddling or swimming, which it’s feared will damage local tourism unless expensive steps are taken to improve water quality.
Cllr Neville Jones said at this week’s council meeting: “The Environment Agency is saying that we won’t see any major work to improve the sea water quality here in Burnham for another five years which is very sad news.”
Cllr Helen Groves added: “This is just not acceptable – we cannot just sit back and accept this. Funding needs to be made available to help us address the matter from the EU since it’s their regulations that will affect us.”
Cllr Louise Parkin said: “Tourists come here to enjoy the seaside and if we lose some of those facilities due to the bathing ban that will have a huge economic impact. We have to stand up here and urgently demand the funding to get this addressed – we must ensure that Burnham gets noticed at a county, regional and government level.”
Doug Bamsey of Sedgemoor District Council said his authority is aware of the problem. “We very much share your concern and would like to see the water quality improved. We’d like to see the issued embraced but I fear it will take several years to address.”
Cllr Ken Smout added: “We have a fantastic beach and our town has a lot going for it for tourists so it’s not all doom and gloom. I’d like to see us look for a positive solution here and to promote the many good things going on.”
Mayor Martin Cox said he supports lobbying the region’s MEPs and Burnham’s MP Tessa Munt to raise awareness of the issue. “We need to do everything possible to protect our jewel of a beach,” he said.
Councillors are unhappy that Weston has received £35million of investment to improve its sea water quality with a new water treatment plant while Burnham has received nothing.
The new EU water quality standards have been featured several times by Burnham-On-Sea.com over recent years, including here last October when town councillors expressed ‘deep concern’ about the impact of the changes on local business.
