Action Plan for polluted Lyme Regis beach welcomed

Water campaigners, the River Lim Action group, have welcomed a plan by the Environment Agency to clean up Church Cliff Beach in Lyme Regis.

The beach was re-designated as a bathing beach last year and, after monitoring, water quality was rated “poor”.

“Getting the beach designated is a huge step forward in cleaning up the water”, said Vicki Elcoate of the RLA. “Now it’s being monitored it’s not a dirty secret and we know what needs to be done to improve water quality for swimmers and others who enjoy that beautiful small beach”.

Lyme’s main bathing beach – Front Beach – has been rated “good” and campaigners are aiming to get it classed as “excellent”. Front Beach will be the location for a Paddle Out protest this Saturday (May 17) shining a light on sewage pollution.

The RLA has been joining in regular roundtable meetings with South West Water, the Environment Agency, Dorset Council and Lyme Regis Town Council to tackle the pollution problems in the town.

The Action Plan focuses on:

·       Reducing permitted sewage discharges

·       Tracking down and fixing broken pipes and misconnections

·       Reducing agricultural pollution

“Without having Church Cliff beach designated as a bathing beach, we wouldn’t have millions of pounds of investment going into sorting this out. The plan should explicitly include an upgrade of the Sewage Treatment Works to cut discharges”, said Vicki Elcoate. “We knew we were starting from a low base – the only way is up and we’re committed to working with others on the big clean up”.

Ends

Notes: Big Paddle Out: Lyme Regis Front Beach 1130am Saturday May 17 – part of the national day of action demanding an end to sewage pollution. RLA will be there alongside Surfers Against Sewage. Our message: “Clean Rivers, Clean Seas”

The official bathing season starts on May 15 and runs till the end of September. The Environment Agency monitors designated bathing beaches during this period.