Press Releases
Seaside Awards Boost Larne Borough’s Visitor Appeal
06 June 2012
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has presented exemplary seaside awards for three of Larne Borough Council’s beaches: Carnlough, Ballygally and Browns Bay. The awards were made at an event at which Blue Flag Awards and Blue Flag Marina Awards were also made around the coast.
Commenting at the awards Minister Attwood said:
“Today’s increase in Blue Flag and Seaside Awards is great news for Northern Ireland’s beach users and seaside towns as they know they can expect the best when they see a Blue Flag or a Seaside Award symbol. These beach awards recognise the high standard of facilities and management at our most popular beaches, as well as the water quality. The high number of awards this year reflects the excellent water quality recorded at our bathing waters last year. I have organised a number of Good Beach Summits to address the quality of our beach areas and it would seem that that work is bearing fruit.”
Director of Environment Services for Larne Borough Council Philip Thompson paid tribute to Council staff :
“ Larne Council recognises and values the physical environment within its Borough and strives to ensure that our environment is managed in a sustainable manner. I would like to pay tribute to the work of my colleague Linda Foy, the Countryside Officer for the Council, for her role in co-ordinating the Council application to these awards”.
“The Seaside Awards are a further recognition of the excellent facilities within Larne Borough. These beautiful beaches combined with Carnfunnock Country Park and the scenery of the Antrim Coast Road make Larne Borough a great place to visit.”
“The visual appeal of the beaches is very important. We would appeal to all visitors and residents to treat these facilities with the respect they deserve, and to contact the Council should they have any issues, compliments or improvements which they would like to see addressed.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
Rural Seaside Award must meet 15 criteria covering water quality, environmental management, safety and services, information and education provided at these locations.
The Minister also took the opportunity at the awards to launch a new beach web site for Northern Ireland www.beachni.com. The new site developed by Outdoor Recreation will provide a ‘one stop shop’ for information on 23 beaches by giving detailed and relevant information on each beach, its facilities and what activities can be undertaken there. In addition, the website will also act as a main information point for beach related news, events and blogs.
For more information: Maria Mc Cann, McCann PR on 07802 934246.
