Make Mayo tops for Blue Flag beaches

MAYO should be aiming to top the country's Blue Flag beaches league.

Following the success of Mayo County Council in securing 11 Blue Flags for the 2021 season, a local councillor wants the authority to develop a policy to further develop Blue Flag (and Green Coast) beaches, with the aim of Mayo becoming the county with the most blue flag beaches in the country.

The aspiration was tabled by Councillor Jarlath Munnelly by way of a notice of motion at the monthly meeting of the council on Monday.

A priority for the council at this stage is to win back two lost flags - at Bertra and Old Head - and to upgrade access and toilet and parking facilities at beaches.

In a written response, he was told Mayo County Council is committed to the continued development of beaches in the county.

Their importance as a local amenity and significant tourist attraction has been highlighted over the last year through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Increased beach usage has generated additional litter management issues. In addition, new cleaning protocols have been implemented in the public toilets that require additional resources.

For the 2021 bathing season, servicing of beaches commenced a month earlier than normal and an additional 70 litter bins are being sourced for installation.

Some 59 portaloos are also being put in place.

These requirements will result in over expenditure on beach maintenance in the order of €150,000 this year.

There is currently a good spread of Blue Flag beaches around the Mayo coastline, which includes the more popular bathing sites, interspersed with Green Coast beaches.

The capital costs of providing additional Blue Flag beaches would typically include car parking, improving access, possibly providing public toilets, and additional risk assessment reports. An indicative budget of €300,000 to €400,000 would be required.

The report sets out that in terms of prioritisation of beach development, the following order should be considered:

1. Secure Blue Flag status for Bertra and Old Head beaches.

2. Make arrangements for disabled access for all Blue Flag and Green Coast beaches.

3. Upgrade public toilet and parking facilities at all the above beaches.

4. New Blue Flag or Green Coast beach development.