The Scottish Daily Mail today published an article stating that EU warnings are to be posted at 17 beaches in Scotland including Nairn Central and East.
According to the paper this is because of EU health rules and that the beaches
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| A page in today's Scottish Daily Mail 14/5/16 |
concerned have had their water quality measured as poor over a four year period.
The journalists who wrote the article spoke to Visit Nairn's Iain Fairweather who said:
"I can't argue against a legal ruling, but I think people will struggle to understand why it is unsafe. I would like to see the criteria for which they judge a beach unsafe - it may be that more stringent controls are being applied now."
A slightly different article in the UK edition of the Daily Mail is available on line here and the full content of the Scottish article appears to be available on this "Press Reader" app here.
A story that combines the EU, Nairn tourism, our beaches and an overloaded sewage and/or storm drain system that dumps offending material into the river and the sea at times of stress?
13 comments:
Many of us who care for the environment have been sounding the alarm bells for some years every time it rains. The run off from an overloaded system spews into the river Nairn from increasing heavy showers due to climate change as well. It adds weight to those who oppose increased housing without adequate upgrading of the sewage system - and who can blame them! For too long the sea and rivers have been a misused and convenient conveyor of human waste, it has to stop.
Hi Roderick, thanks for the comment - will research some of the points you make.
Yet another reason to vote to leave the EU. Unnecessary regulations that will scare away tourists
Anyone ever stop to think there may be a reason for these 'regulations'? Instead of ranting about the EU why not try and find out what this is all about? Ask the question, why is the bathing water not meeting the highest possible standards? It's not even close. Shouldn't we be striving to provide locals and tourists with the best. What can be done to improve the water quality? This is not something which has happened overnight - it's been going on for years.
What you say Joe is the case of the sewrage overflowing into the river.
But who other than someone other than those who want to develop housing will put up the money?? It want be the highland C. any thing they asked todo they play the same record NO MONEY as you well know.
@anon 18.28 Thank you for that entertaining comment about the origin of the increase of pollution but we thought it may be misunderstood by one or two people :-)
Yet another daft EU policy, not as though people drink any quantity of seawater. You're more likely to consume harmful bacteria by eating chicken.
If it was in the Daily Mail it must be true
I would suggest an embargo supported by all our community councils on any new housing developments in Nairn until it can be shown that the current water/sewage systems can cope with current capacity, and indeed have surplus capability.
We need our beaches to be clean again not only for locals but also for tourists who we depend on greatly as income for the town
The issue of untreated sewage going straight into the river whenever there is heavy rain is far from being a new issue and has been highlighted in the Nairnshire and the Gurn. I'm not sure if the latest figures on pollution are purely down to this and/or poor processing at the sewage works?
I'm disappointed that long term councillors Liz MacDonald and Laurie Fraser have not made more of this issue on behalf of the town. I understand that Cllr MacDonald is planning to build some 90 houses on her land at Lochloy so I can see that she'd be against any ban on new development
But the issue is not going to go away without radical action, and as Highland Council is in debt I cannot see monies forthcoming for any major water treatment solutions in the near future
'Come to Nairn and enjoy our beautiful sewage filled beaches' is hardly going to appeal to anyone including those who might wish to move to the area.
It will be to the towns further demise if little or no action is taken
Its not good enough just to put up warning notices we need to see that there is a positive effort to improve our water quality. The beach here is our best asset and must be protected. The run down state of the High Street and now no bathing? What is left to bring people here?
Nairn has to grow and if dodgy water quality is going to continue to be part of that then so be it. Don't worry it will still look good for sunsets.
The regulations are there for a reason, the standards have helped to raise the quality of bathing water around Europe and improve the safety of all water users. This is the core aspect of the Surfers Against Sewage campaign that has driven up the standards for all the UK's beaches. Prevention is better than cure and clean water is not a big ask in this day and age. The responsiblity for this lies with the Highland Council and SEPA.
A bit of an increase in priority from our local councillors would be a good start, tourism matters and pays for a lot in this town. No one likes sanitary towels on the beach!
'No one likes sanitary towels on the beach!'
Sorry, I sometimes wear one when I'm walking there :-(
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