CORNWALL Council is welcoming a consultation launched by DEFRA asking for views on a proposal, put forward by the council, to designate an additional eight beaches in Cornwall as bathing waters, including one at Northcott Mouth, near Bude.

In Cornwall there are currently 81 designated bathing waters, but some of these beaches are not currently designated, which means that bathing water samples are not taken from them and so there is no official data on the quality of the bathing water at these beaches.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for housing and environment, Joyce Duffin, said: “We have been pro-active in requesting that these beaches be designated as we feel it is important that people who use them are given a more informed choice about whether they go into the water based on reliable information about its quality.

“If, as a result of this consultation, DEFRA decides that the seas at these beaches are classed as designated bathing waters, then these eight sites, along with the other 80 plus sites in Cornwall, will have regular water samples taken throughout the summer which will be analysed by the Environment Agency. This will enable each site to be given a classification so not only will beach users know about water quality, but we will be able to help ensure that standards are maintained or push for action if, for any reason, the water quality does not meet stringent international criteria.

“I encourage beach users and anybody who uses these bathing waters to give their feedback to DEFRA via their website, email or by post.”

You can complete the consultation, which runs until Wednesday, April 12 online at https://consult.defra.gov.uk/water/designate-bathing-waters-in-cornwall/, by contacting: Bathing Water Team, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Area 3D Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR or by emailing [email protected].