Lyme bathing beaches – the scores are in!
Nov 26, 2024
The two bathing beaches in Lyme Regis have been given their water quality classifications based on Environment Agency sampling. River Lim Action and Lyme Regis Blue Tits say there’s room for improvement!
The Environment Agency has published all the bathing beach classifications today. Front Beach in Lyme is "good" and Church Beach which was only re-designated this year got a "poor".
This is a result of monitoring for bacteria linked to sewage pollution from May to September by the Environment Agency. Previous testing has shown the majority of the bacteria have a human origin at the mouth of the River Lim.
“There’s clearly room for improvement as our aim is for EXCELLENT water quality at both beaches. People swim all year round in their hundreds and we need reliable, safe water for them and for the environment”, said Vicki Elcoate, of the River Lim Action group.
“Sewage discharges into the river need to be reduced urgently. Even after Storm Bert passed through and it stopped raining, the sewer overflow at the Uplyme Sewage Treatment Works discharged for over 24 hours. For the certainty and safety of swimmers we support South West Water’s aim of cutting discharges by 90% by 2027. We need an investment programme fit for purpose in reducing permitted discharges and fixing our creaking sewage system in the town”,
Beverley Glock, of Lyme Regis Blue Tits, said: “ We need South West Water to work with us to upgrade the water quality to EXCELLENT at both our bathing beaches. We swim every day, year round, so we need the water to be tested all year. Our campaign for better water quality and better information goes on".
You can find all the classifications on the Environment Agency website.
