Council scraps Blue Flags for new beach scheme

A council has agreed to stop using the internationally recognised Blue Flag awards promoting high-quality beaches, in favour of setting up its own scheme.

Torbay Council, in Devon, voted unanimously to leave the Blue Flag awards and set up its own English Riviera Bathing Standards flags as a replacement scheme. Work will begin to roll out the scheme ahead of the 2026 summer season.

Members were previously told Blue Flag scheme's updated criteria, made it impractical for smaller coves, with new requirements for designated zones for swimmers, surfers, boarders and motor craft.

Blue Flag has been asked for comment.

Six beaches in Torbay - Breakwater, Broadsands, Meadfoot, Oddicombe, Preston and Torre Abbey Sands - hold Blue Flags.

Councillor Adam Billings said the English Riviera Bathing Standards would provide more frequent and rigorous water testing than a revised Blue Flag system, which now called for beaches to be zoned for different users with large segregated areas.

He said the new criteria was no longer suited to Torbay's trademark small covers and compact beaches.

"We are here because Blue Flag is ideally set up for long, sandy beaches that can be separated into areas for different uses," he said.

"Trying to apply that system in Torbay would be a logistical challenge."

He said some people using a beach such as Oddicombe, which is 180m (590ft) long, would have to be excluded so others could be accommodated.

Councillor Darren Cowell said the "11th hour" decision was being taken without properly consulting the tourist trade.

Councillor Cordelia Law added: "With so much focus on pollution in our seas at the moment, is now the right time to be ditching our membership of the Blue Flag scheme?"

However, Councillor Martin Brook said the new scheme could help "celebrate and market" Torbay's 25 beaches, better than currently.

Councillor Mark Spacagna added: "There isn't going to be any negative change that I can see."

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