EXCLUSIVE The fall of Britain's best beach: Furious locals blame 'disgusting pollution' for ruining their seaside town's reputation as it's stripped of prestigious award

Daily Mail​

18-05-2025

In February, residents living in sunny Weymouth were riding the wave of being crowned 'best beach in the UK' for the fourth year running.
But just three months later, furious locals say their reputation has been 'smeared' after the town's main beach lost its prestigious Blue Flag status.
On the cusp of the busy summer season, the popular Dorset seaside town has been dealt a hammer blow after officials ruled it was no longer worthy of the prized status given to the UK's cleanest beaches.
Weymouth Central beach, which stretches along the stunning Jurassic Coast, lost its internationally recognised status given to beaches, marinas and sustainable tourism boats that meet environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.
Concerns were raised that Weymouth would lose its Blue Flag after the beach's water quality was downgraded from 'excellent' to 'good' by the Environment Agency at the end of 2024.
And those concerns have now become a reality, with locals up in arms over the dumping of sewage in their beloved seaside home.
Dorset Council leader Nick Ireland previously said it was 'almost inevitable' the beach would lose the accolade as he blamed a 'not-fit-for-purpose sewage system.
Wessex Water say there is no direct link between the overflows and the central beach.
But there is anger over the 'pollution' and 'contamination' of the water in Weymouth. Earlier this week, shocking photos emerged of two swans surrounded by polluted water and litter in Weymouth Harbour.
It comes after Weymouth Beach was voted the best beach in the UK for the fourth time in a row in February, while the much-loved ribbon of sand claimed an impressive 20th place on the European list.
While it is a title proudly spoken about by most, some residents blasted the award as a sham and described their seaside home as a 'scummy ghost town' blighted by tacky vape shops, anti-social behaviour and polluted waters.
When MailOnline visited the beach this week, locals and tourists said it was a 'crying shame' that their beach had been allowed to decline as they raised fears it could stop families taking their children on holiday there.
Sarah Riley, who has living in Weymouth for 30 years, said: 'I just think the sea and the beach is one of our greatest assets. It makes me sad to think of it losing its Blue Flag
'It's disgusting. What is it going to be like in years to come unless we make a stand and improve it and demand a certain quality of water?
'Some people will say 'We've got our grandchildren, we're not going to take them there just in case'.
'I'm disappointed because everybody knows it's such a lovely beach and it's safe. It's had the Blue Flag for a long time so I think someone somewhere is to blame. I know that lots of rivers and everything is getting polluted.
'We could have shone and said it's safe here. Even in Cornwall, where there is swimming and surfing, they are seeing raw sewage. It is absolutely beyond comprehension. If that happened on the same scale here, all the people that live here would cause a riot.
'All the kids that come here, if there was anything to catch, it would be unforgivable if they were ill a couple of nights later.
'Someone has to take a stand and take charge. It's like other parts of Weymouth that have been disintegrating.'
Denise Elkes, who comes to Weymouth three times a year in her caravan, said: 'They are dumping the sewage everywhere, it's not good. It's an ideal beach because it's so nice and long and flat. You can go way out when the sea is out.
'It's very safe. I used to bring my grandchildren here when they were small and it's really safe to mess about with children.
'It's a real shame but it doesn't surprise me because it's happening to our rivers, our oceans. It's just not on.
'I can't believe in all these years they've let this keep happening. Most of these sewage companies are private but they should have been taken to ask long ago. Once it's polluted, it is too late.
'It's bad enough with all the plastic but to keep putting sewage into the sea and rivers, in this day and age it should not be happening.
'It's just awful. It's a fantastic beach, it's one of the safest beaches around.'
Her friend, Ros Weir, added: 'We've been coming 20-odd years.
'It's a crying shame that it's lost its Blue Flag. It's dreadful. It's a lovely beach, it's great for kids and if you can't swim, well.
'These sewage people must be taken to task.
'They are paying the shareholders masses of money instead of putting it into new infrastructure.'
Diana Thompson, who has lived in Weymouth 14 years, said the ocean and the town itself is declining.
She said: 'We pay our taxes and nothing gets done. Weymouth has changed a lot, the beach is alright but the town has got too much people stealing and anti-social behaviour.
'I have to walk to the other side of the marina under the underpass to get home. I won't come out in the evening. I try to get through the underpass before 5pm because I don't trust people under there.'
Speaking about the drop in water quality in Weymouth, Ms Thompson added: 'It doesn't bother me because I don't get in the water but it really is a shame. There's a cove around the other side which can smell awful because of the pollution.
'I think they have a duty - the water boards are making all these profits but are not putting anything back in.
'The beach is nice, but as for going in the water, it's contaminated. I would never go in it - I haven't been in for years. It's a shame. The council needs to pull its finger out.
'They are just jumping on the bandwagon with everyone else, putting prices up. Anything that goes on in Weymouth, the fees have gone up astronomically. It's going to keep tourists away.'
Kim Harper, who was down on the beach with her grandson, said: 'I was surprised but the council does get complacent with things. They need a proverbial kick up the backside sometimes.
'It's put that smear on it. I think it might put people off, if people have come and seen what it's like before.
'To be honest, the beach is beautiful, you can't beat it. But there's so much seaweed. I picked up my grandson after nursery, his little sandcastle is full of seaweed.
'We rely on the beach far too much. In winter there is nothing to do. It's a shame for the locals, we have to go to Dorchester. It's a shame because it's a beautiful place.
'They need to put more effort in, you have to. That's the thing with our council, they don't tend to.'
Ms Harper joked she 'loves Weymouth because she was born here' but said the town itself has been 'taken over' by vape shops and London-owned shops.
She said: 'We used to have great shops here. The two main roads, St Mary's and St Thomas street are now run by London owners and they are charging London prices.
'You just can't make the money here.'
Hazel Purteall, 56, said: 'I've been coming here since I was a toddler and it hasn't put me off, I've been in there today. But I just can't believe they would dump it in somewhere like this. The beach is its best feature.
'It is a real shame it's lost its Blue Flag. Coming out of the sea today, all of the black on the wet sand, there never used to be any of that.
'We used to collect hermit crabs, I can't remember the last time I saw a hermit crab here, so obviously something has gone on.
'I love Weymouth and it wouldn't stop me coming, but it is a real shame. There must be grottier places!'
Speaking about the impact it could have on visitor numbers, she added: 'It could stop people coming who have never been before if they are looking for decent water swimming spots. They'd probably prioritise one which has got a Blue Flag.
Sam, a 25-year-old worker running a hut on the beach, said: 'It's fair, I'm not surprised. We've got a lot of the big companies dumping the waste, they're not really hiding it. Last year, there were protests about it.
'I don't know if it's the council but they know they can make enough money and tourism by doing the bare minimum. I'm a local and I can see that's what they are doing - I think that speaks quite a bit about what's going on.'
Sam said he has noticed a 'decline' in Weymouth but the town remains popular in the summer.
He added: 'It's just one of those towns, me and my mates say its a borderline of becoming a Brighton or a Blackpool. I can't tell if it's picking up or if they want to add anything. The SeaLife tower that's gone now, they don't know what to do with the town.
'They've just got to keep it up from what it was.
'People have the impression that Weymouth is a nice seaside place to come so I don't think that's going to go away. But when they show up and it isn't what they imagined, that might have a change.'
And Glen, who has lived in Weymouth seven years, said: 'It's not good. We've had a Blue Flag for quite a while.
'I don't go swimming in the sea, but I can't say I've noticed a decline. Usually it's pretty good, it's sad that it's lost the Blue Flag. '
The 59-year-old added: 'It's basically these water companies, since they have been privatised, they are just trying to maximise profits.
'The shareholders get dividends, it's terrible. Something like water, a natural resource, which you need to live, something like that should be in the Government hands. I don't think something like water that is vital should be in private hands. It's very bad.'
While Weymouth lost their prized status, Avon Beach, Branksome Chine, Canford Cliffs, Durley Chine, Fisherman's Walk, Friars Cliff, Highcliffe, Sandbanks, and Shore Road were all recognised with a Blue Flag.
A Blue Flag is only awarded to beaches with water which has achieved the highest classification as set by the EU Bathing Water Directive. They must meet the 'excellent' water quality standard.
Weymouth Beach was given a Seaside Award which is given to beaches that celebrate the quality and diversity of the UK's coastline.
Cllr Caroline Nickinson, Mayor of Weymouth, said: 'Our teams work extremely hard to make sure the beach is a clean, safe and welcoming environment for all to enjoy, that's why we retained the Keep Britian Tidy Seaside Award for another year.
'Based on Environment Agency testing of bathing water quality between May and September last year, the rating went from excellent to good.
'And while we are disappointed, no single cause has been identified for why the water quality dipped. We continue to do all we can to ensure Weymouth Beach remains a popular spot for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.'
A Wessex Water spokesperson said: 'There are no storm overflows that discharge into Weymouth Central beach. There are overflows further north at Weymouth Lodmoor, where the bathing water is rated Excellent.
'This is a clear indication that licensed overflows, which operate automatically and discharge mostly rainwater during or after extremely wet weather, have minimal impact on the area's bathing water quality.
'Despite this, we're investing £3 million every month on schemes to reduce storm overflow discharges and have plans to do much more from 2025, including at sites like Chafey's Lake in Weymouth where rainwater and groundwater enters sewers – often from private pipes.
'More widely, we believe rainwater should be better managed and returned to the environment close to where it falls rather than draining into sewers. Alongside our ongoing investment, this requires the political understanding and will to bring forward policies in government that that promote best practice in rainwater management at source.'