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Beaches pass tests
BEACHES in the Whitby area have had mixed reviews in the Good Beach Guide 2010, released last week.
Whitby and Sandsend beaches were recommended for bathing, whereas Robin Hood's Bay, Runswick Bay and Staithes only managed basic passes in the testing of water quality standards by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).
This is a success for Staithes, who failed in the testing in 2009.
The MCS releases the independent study each year ahead of the busy summer tourist season, giving visitors the chance to choose the cleanest beaches on their holidays and days out.
Only 55% of Britain's beaches reached the stringent water quality standards and the society believe that this shift in the water quality trends is because higher seasonal rainfall is causing sewers to overflow and discharge raw sewage onto some beaches.
This problem is combined with the issue of animal waste, fertilisers and refuse being washed from farm land and city streets into rivers and the sea.
Staithes beach has suffered problems this month, with work continuing on a major sewage leak into the sea causing foul smelling water and inconvenience for local surfers.
Robin Hood's Bay was highlighted by the study as one of the 85 British beaches at risk when new stricter EU bathing water standards are introduced in 2015.
The society believes that one in seven of Britain's beaches will fail the tests if nothing is done now to improve their standards.
MCS Coastal Pollution Officer Thomas Bell said: "Our campaign is now focussed on the degree to which combined sewer overflows are to blame for bathing water pollution and what can be done about it."
However, the north east is one of the most improved regions in the UK, with over 70% of beaches recommended, compared with only 54% last year.
None of the region's beaches failed the minimum legal water standards, compared with five in last year's guide.
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Weather for Whitby
Saturday 19 May 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
