Monday 11 June 2012

BATHING BAN REMAINS IN PLACE TODAY (Monday 11 June)


Restrictions preventing beach users from bathing in the sea, and walking below the high tide line, remain in place today (Monday 11 June).

Officers from Thanet District Council have been working round the clock, in partnership with Southern Water and the Environment Agency, in a bid to lift the local bathing ban, with cleansing teams working relentlessly over the weekend to remove any further debris from the beaches.

The majority of sewage has now been cleared, however the coastline will continue to be monitored.

Initial tests carried out by the Environment Agency continue to indicate that the water quality around Thanet’s coast is improving, however a decision to lift the ban on bathing will not be taken until the results of all water quality tests carried out are confirmed.

The restrictions will also remain in place until firm assurances have been provided by Southern Water that all issues with the sewage pumping station at Foreness Point have been fully resolved.

As part of this, Members and senior officers from Thanet District Council met with representatives from Southern Water and the Environment Agency on Friday (8 June) to seek reassurance that the identified problems could be dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Although the public are being advised to stay out of the sea all beaches and promenades remain open for access and beach concessions are open for business as usual.

The council’s Director of Operations, Mark Seed, said: “The safety of beach users is our priority and our work is dedicated to ensuring that no one has their health or wellbeing compromised.

“By working closely with Southern Water and the Environment Agency, we hope to draw this matter to a swift conclusion. We’re pleased with the initial water quality tests, and the hard work of our beach cleaning teams has been amazing.  But the bathing ban remains in place until we’re totally satisfied that we have no more outstanding concerns.”

Members of the public are advised if they wish to report a pollution incident to call the Environment Agency 24 hour emergency line on 0800 807060.

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