Signs could 'harm tourism' for Bognor

The town's western shoreline is being seen as a site for the pioneering project to improve the public's knowledge of seawater quality.

But there are fears that 24 hour updates about the state of the sea could drive visitors away and keep them from returning.

Independent district and town councillor Jim Brooks (Marine) said he feared the town's status as a guinea pig could harm its tourism trade at a critical time.

"I think it's a bad idea for us to take part at this time. The information will be based on predictions so it might not even be correct.

"I am worried that people walking along the western prom will see a notice saying the water quality is poor and will think that applies to all the beach, when the rest is Blue Flag standard.

"We should take part in the trial but without the information boards until the system has been proved."

The information system will start in May if Arun District Council members shortly agree to a request from the Environment Agency.

Bognor will be among just ten seaside towns around England and Wales to take part in the experiment if the go ahead is given.

Others include Looe and Fleetwood. The EA will use rainfall figures with modern computer models about its effect on seawater to produce the cleanliness predictions at 10am each day.

These will then be displayed on information boards, the number has yet to be decided, along the seafront. The likely area is between Bognor Regis Yacht Club and West Park.

The boards are likely to state that the water quality is either good or poor and bathing is not advised.

This would continue until the end of the bathing season in September when the results of the trial would be monitored.

Bognor's western beach has been targeted because of its variable water quality. This is affected by the amount of rain. Heavy storms can see overloaded sewage storage tanks discharge diluted effluent into the sea to avoid flooding.

Excess water from the gutters also runs out to sea during very wet spells.

EA policy advisor Ian Dunhill said: "There is good science behind the predictions we will be making.

"This scheme is about getting information to the public directly and quickly.

"It's then up to people if they take that advice."

Mr Dunhill accepted that a series of negative predictions could harm the tourism trade. But said the scheme had been operating in Scotland for six years. Market research had shown the information was valued but few people based their bathing habits on it.

The EA intends to introduce the scheme to 10-15 per cent of bathing beaches around the UK in time for strict new Euro bathing standards taking effect in 2012.

Arun head of environmental health Paul Unsworth said the trial had the advantage of keeping people updated about the state of the sea. The current method relied on reports a week out of date, while the Blue Flag was based on the previous year's quality.

Persistent failures would also put pressure on Southern Water to improve the drainage system, he added.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP

Persistent failures would also put pressure on Southern Water to improve the drainage system, he added.