Sussex: Three beaches may become monitored water bathing sites

Rottingdean is one of the 27 beaches being considered as a bathing site

Three popular beaches in Sussex may become bathing water sites monitored by the Environment Agency (EA).

Goring Beach and Worthing Beach House in West Sussex, and Rottingdean Beach in East Sussex, are being considered by the EA pending a two week consultation.

If approved, the sites will receive regular water monitoring by the EA.

Vicki Wells, Worthing's cabinet member for the environment, said monitoring the beaches would reassure people that they were "a lovely place to bathe."

The three Sussex beaches are among 27 being considered by the EA.

Bathing sites receive water monitoring from the agency, which can investigate pollution sources and identify steps to take in response, which could include actions by water companies, farmers and others.

Ms Wells said: "It's going to give us more confidence. I've always argued we need greater monitoring of the health of our coastal water."

The plans for the new bathing sites were set out by water minister Robbie Moore.

Mr Moore said he was "very aware" of the value costal beaches bring "in terms of social, health and wellbeing benefits."

"I want to continue to improve the quality of our bathing waters, which is why we are taking action across the board to drive up standards and hold water companies to account," he added.

The consultation into the proposed bathing sites closes on 10 March.

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