Yellow Flag status for Porty Beach

[Bob Jefferson]

[mr magnolia]

Bob, this deserves a reply:

er, whats a yellow flag?

I thought it was blue ones that were good ones?

[Bob Jefferson]

Just realised I never got back to you on this one. My understanding is that the yellow flag (or Seaside Award) is easier to achieve, although comparing the criteria there doesn't seem to be much difference. I think I'm right in saying that blue flag status requires a higher water quality but I will try to get some confirmation on that.

[Bob Jefferson]

I was very disappointed this morning to discover that the dog-free zone on the beach (earlier in this thread reported as 95% certain to happen) is now unlikely to go ahead.

The reason, as ever, is money or more specifically lack of it. There is no money for the necessary signage and no money to pay for the environmental wardens to enforce it.

This is nothing short of disgraceful. We are talking about Edinburgh's seaside. The capital city of Scotland can't afford to support one small dog-free section of the beach.

So what now? Well I'm sure if we search around we will still be able to find a seaside award that is easier to attain - one that allows for dog shit on the beach, but who wants it?

Please complain about this, starting with emails to Lawrence, Maureen, Gavin and Susan. Perhaps if we make enough fuss we can still push this through.

lawrence.marshall@edinburgh.gov.uk
maureen.child@edinburgh.gov.uk
gillana@parliament.uk
Susan.Deacon.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

[Epykat]

Sorry to be happy about this but I am. As usual it's the responsbile majority being branded by the irresponsible minority. You can't tell a dog where to 'go' - they don't understand 'this is not the right bit of the beach'. So were dog owners meant to carry a cork about with them or something? And there will always be strays - apparently more so since I heard that the Police are no longer going to be responsible for taking them in so it's up to dog wardens (who do a wonderful job, however are hardly ever about). Dogs can't read so how would the stray ones know where not to do their stuff anyway?

[Bob Jefferson]

[Epykat]

I have yet to see anybody picking up after their horse. It used to be a big problem on the beach a few years ago. One stable in particular used to exercise their race horses at full pelt right along the soft sand from one end of the beach to the other. Since I'm not on the beach early in the morning now I'm not sure if this still goes on (Teddygirl??) Would this ban also apply to them? The safety factor of coming into contact with a racing horse at full gallop far outweighed any risk from dog/horse dirt.

[mr magnolia]

Don't know of Porty particular stats?

[Poppy]

Refers to Portobello West.

[Bob Jefferson]

[Maria]

[Epykat]

[Bob Jefferson]

[mr magnolia]

[Poppy]

[mr magnolia]

[Zargonian]

Porty is a lovely place, I love living here.

I don't have a dog, or any animal for that matter, but I feel that dog owners, horse owners, Rhino owners or even the occasional Giraffe should be allowed to wander along the beach, promenade.

My mates have got dogs etc, and I know how much they appreciate the walk with their animals.
As correctly pointed out, it is a minority who let their animals foul the beach and the litter louts should be stamped on.
Perhaps the cigarette police should be involved in monitoring this, instead of getting browny points for nailing anyone who's dropped their cig!

Which also raises another point:

As the law is against dropping ciggy buts cos they are not easily bio-degradable, (I know it's litter also) ......does the same apply to filter-less rollies?

As rolled cigs can / sometimes have no offending filter is that illegal?

Rant over, answers on a postcard.

[quote][/quote]

[Sandra]

[rathbone]

[Poppy]

[Bob Jefferson]

A dip in the water quality at Portobello is being attributed to heavy rainfall during the testing period:

[Spector]

[Porty]

[Poppy]

[Bob Jefferson]

[Bob Jefferson]

From today's EN:

[Maria]

The latest from compiled by the Marine Conservation Society is that Portobello West (King's Road) has passed at 'European designated bathing water' status, but Portobello Central (James Street) has gained the highest level award of 'MSC recommended'

[Bob Jefferson]

From today's EN:

[Bob Jefferson]

It's time we took another look at what is required to attain the Seaside Award. On the way to Anstruther yesterday, I passed signs directing me to several beaches that boasted this accolade.

The Council needs to be reminded that Portobello is Edinburgh's Seaside. The beach is a huge asset, not just for local people, but for Edinburgh as a city and as a tourist destination.

A Beach Management Group should be tasked with putting in place the 30 criteria that are required for the award.

http://coastal.keepscotlandbeautiful.or ... iteria.pdf

[Lambie]

[wangi]

The by Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB), and a no-show for Portobello Beach.

It's not that it failed any of ; it simply wasn't considered because Edinburgh Council never even submitted an application for Portobello Beach (confirmed by KSB).

Portobello Beach is an asset to our city, and should be promoted much more strongly by the council.






L/

[Lambie]

I'm so shocked by this that just writing this has taken me five minutes.

[rapunzell]

What's the council's excuse this time? Perhaps they couldn't afford a map that included all of Edinburgh.

[Maria]

[Makaveli]

How is there not easy and safe access for all to the beach?