Flying the Blue Flags

Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy today announced its Blue Flag winners for 2021, with Roker and Seaburn beaches once again being recognised for their consistently high water quality, cleanliness and constantly improving visitor amenities.

This is the tenth consecutive year Roker and Seaburn has also won a coveted Seaside Award.

The awards are national recognition of the continuing high standard of maintenance and environmental improvements along the seafront.

The internationally recognised Blue Flags and Seaside Award flags will fly over the twin resorts this summer as a symbol to bathers and beach users of the high-quality water and facilities available for families, residents, visitors and tourists.

Roker and Seaburn are two of 190 beaches to win the coveted awards from Keep Britain Tidy, including 65 international Blue Flags and 125 Seaside Awards, and are among the 42 beaches achieving both awards.

Councillor Linda Williams, Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Vibrant City, said: "It is fantastic to see Sunderland's beautiful beaches once again awarded the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Award. Flying these flags at Roker and Seaburn shows everyone who visits that our seafront has excellent quality bathing water and first-class facilities.

"We're very lucky to have fantastic beaches with beautiful, clean water to swim and bathe in, and this national recognition is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in keeping our beaches clean, tidy and well-maintained."

Keep Britain Tidy's Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: "This year, more than ever, we are going to be relying on our country's beautiful beaches to escape for a much-needed break after all the stresses and strains of the past year.

"Whether it's camping in Cornwall, renting a cottage in North Yorkshire or simply having a day out at the seaside in Sussex, a fantastic beach is an essential part of a holiday for so many of us.

"Last year, due to the pandemic, we did not have the opportunity to celebrate all the great award-winning beaches around the coast so this year we are delighted to have even more winners than we did in 2019, thanks to the incredible work of the teams around the country that make our beaches clean and safe for us all to enjoy.

"From environmental education for the local community and ensuring responsible beach use, to cleaning regimes and an increasing number of recycling facilities, it is a full-time commitment to create beaches worthy of these awards.

"As we all plan our 2021 holidays much closer to home, thanks to the Blue Flag and Seaside Award those choosing to holiday at a destination with an award-winning beach can be assured it will be clean and safe and meet the highest standards for water quality and management."