Campaign for Amble Little Shore: Are cleaner seas important to you?
A new community driven campaign, working in conjunction with the Harbour Commission, is aimed at gaining official “Bathing Water Status” at our local beach, Amble’s Little Shore. This status has already been given to Warkworth Beach and Amble Links. We are now trying to secure this for the Little Shore. This will help current users feel safe when in the water and encourage more people to take the plunge and get into the water.
Amble’s Little Shore. Photo by Carle Robinson
Bathing Water status is one of the very best ways to protect water for the future. The water quality of the River Coquet throughout its length is under considerable pressure from new development, housing, sewage outflows, and intense agricultural land usage.
If the Little Shore is granted Bathing Water status, then the Environment Agency is required to assess the water quality and investigate sources of pollution and recommend measures to improve water quality.
The Local Authority must put up signs during the bathing season providing information about the quality of the water if there is a pollution incident, and warn the public about sources of pollution.
Fill in the survey here: Amble Little Shore Survey
Coquet River Action Group (CRAG) is a Citizen Science project which has been monitoring the whole of the River Coquet over the last 12 months. It is led by a range of local volunteers, who test weekly through all weathers to gain an understanding of the river’s influences and status. The River Coquet is in the top 11% of rivers in England for its biodiversity, ecology and wildlife and we need it to stay that way.
Warkworth Harbour Commission and Northumberland County Council fully supports this application.
As part of the application we will be talking to the community and encouraging the completion of our questionnaire to understand how often you visit and use the Little Shore area. We want everyone, residents, business owners, and visitors to take part in the survey. Protecting our waters is a shared responsibility, and even small efforts can lead to big changes.
The Questionnaire can be found online at coquetriveractiongroup.org from 13 May or here Amble Little Shore Survey. Paper copies will be available from Amble library and the Harbour Office (next to the Fish Shack). Please return your replies to either Amble Library or the Harbour Office. At times volunteers will also be at the Little Shore offering questionnaires to those present.
Volunteers and supporters can participate in upcoming events and spread awareness. A local swimming group, Amble Swimblers, are supporting Surfers Against Sewage. They will be having a national Paddle out Protest on Saturday 17 May at the Little Shore, starting at 11.00am. The tides are against us so we cannot swim or paddle board at that time but please come along and show your support. Together, we can ensure a cleaner, healthier future for our coastal waters.
Coquet Rivers Action Group
