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News Release
04 July 2005
GRAB a Beach event and help
The GRAB Trust is holding an evening event on Tuesday 19 July
to highlight the potential loss of bathing water status at
Machrihanish Bay when 3 guest speakers will be describing the
different aspects of this huge and special beach.
You will be able to take part in the Beach Brainstorm to find ways
of documenting beach usage and save the bathing water status. You’ll
also get chance to have your say on ways to improve the beach for
the future.
The GRAB Trust manage the Seaside Award Beach at the Machrihanish
village end of the Bay and have been asked by Clean Coast Scotland
to submit an application if the bathing water status, as designated
under the Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEC, is to be retained. The
application must provide documented evidence that the beach can meet
the identified bathing water criteria of at least 150 users per day
at peak times as set by the Bathing Water review panel.
Karen Judd, Beaches and Marine Litter Officer at the GRAB Trust
said: “The application process provides an ideal opportunity for
local people to get involved and help shape the future of one of the
best beaches on the West Coast of Scotland”.
As a bathing water, the water quality is regularly sampled by SEPA
(Scottish Environment Protection Agency) and if the status is lost,
sampling may cease. The Seaside Award is run annually by Keep
Scotland Beautiful and recognises well maintained resort and rural
beaches that pass the EC Mandatory water quality standard. Without
water quality data, the future of Argyll and Bute’s only Seaside
Award beach is uncertain. Whether you use the beach at Westport or
Machrihanish or run a business which benefits from the prestige of
having an award winning beach nearby, if the status is lost, it
could affect you.
So come along to the event which will be taking place between 7-9
pm on Tuesday 19 July at the Community Education
Centre, Campbeltown.
Alternatively contact:
Karen Judd
Beaches and Marine Litter Officer
GRAB Trust
01631 569188
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