Five Teignbridge beaches have been recognised for their quality in the prestigious annual Keep Britain Tidy Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for Summer 2022. 

Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth Town beaches are two of 80 nationwide which have received the highest recognition with the internationally recognised Blue Flag award.

And Dawlish, Coryton Cove and Ness Cove are three of 128 beaches from across the country which have received the coveted Seaside Award. 

Both awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches which are assessed for: 

• Safety and services, such as first aid and lifeguards
• Environmental information including displaying details about local eco-systems
• Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the EU’s bathing water quality ‘excellent’ standard and Seaside Award winners the 'sufficient’ standard.
• Environmental management, including litter and waste

The awards mean that visitors to beaches flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be confident that it will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental and water quality standards.

Blue Flag is an international award managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education. It is only presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes, while Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline. 

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “The success of these beaches in reaching the very high standards demanded is testament to all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve our blue spaces – from beach managers and volunteers to local residents and businesses. The huge commitment needed to maintain marvellous beaches worthy of these awards cannot be underestimated”. 

Executive member for Recreation Cllr John Nutley thanked Keep Britain Tidy for the awards and congratulated everyone who worked so hard all year round to maintain the quality of our beaches. 

 “Winning these awards is a tremendous tribute to the hard work of our teams and volunteers who work all year round to keep our beaches clean.  Residents and visitors can have confidence that when they visit any of these beaches they will be enjoying some of the best in the country.”