Action group 'thrilled' Dorset beach is up for re-designation after years of campaigning
Lyme Regis residents say they’re 'optimistic' a local beach will soon be safe for swimming
The River Lim Action Group’s campaign to get a local beach redesignated may FINALLY be coming to fruition.
Campaigners in Lyme Regis tell us they’re “optimistic” Church Cliff Beach will soon be redesignated as a bathing beach, therefore ‘safe to swim in’.
Coordinator of River Lim Action Group, Vicki Elcoate told us: “We wanted the beach redesignated because it's so popular with locals and many of them want the water quality properly monitored.
“We also think it will put pressure on South West Water and The Environmental Agency to clean up sewage from the River Lim which is the main influence on the beach.”
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced that Church Beach will be among 23 other beach up for redesignation.
Vicki Elcoate said: “Water quality in rivers and sewage discharges in seas is such a big issue for people now and it's always in the headlines.
“I think the government has finally woken up to this and designating more bathing beaches and bathing rivers is one way of putting more resources into cleaning up our waterways.”
As it stands, The Environmental Agency do not currently monitor water quality on the beach but campaigners hope this announcement will encourage them to “bring forward investment to clean up the river.”
The River Lim Action group, working with the Bluetits swimming group, and with the support of Lyme Regis Town Council, has received huge support from locals and visitors for the beach application.
Malcolm Greenslade of Lyme Bay Swimming said: “It's great news that Defra have agreed to a public consultation on the Beach Redesignation after all the hard work put in over the summer by The River Lim Action Group and its supporters.”
Vicki Elcoate added: “It’s taken a lot of work to get here, so we’re pleased to see it’s paid off and that Defra support what we’ve done so far.
“We now appeal to everyone who cares about our local beaches and the rights of water users to enjoy clean water to fill out the consultation.”