Councillor backs campaigners bid to make Wardie Bay safe for swimmers

The site in Granton has seen a surge in swimmers since lockdown, prompting growing support for an appeal to get it on the list of Scotland's designated bathing waters.

Campaigners say this will give it environmental protection on issues such as litter and sewage.

However, a recent application for bathing water status submitted by Wardie Bay Beach Watch was refused by the Scottish Government, following a review from the national panel responsible for designation which is chaired by SEPA.

A group of locals have launched a petition and submitted an appeal calling on the Government to reconsider the decision.

Councillor Ellie Bird won cross party support for her motion requesting that a report is resubmitted to the Transport and Environment Committee outlining specific measures that the Council could put in place to support the calls for a safer beach.

At a city council meeting yesterday the Forth ward councillor also called for the council to ‘match the investment’ of the local community, who have done litter clean ups and this week secured an agreement to get a community noticeboard installed at the beach entrance.

Ms Bird said: “We have won cross party support on this motion, which is evidence of the importance the council attributes to the waterfront and the prominence it now has. It’s an essential part of the area regeneration. I see it as a bit of a jewel in the crown.”

“What I’ve asked for is that the council matches the investment of the residents, which has been significant and I’m very grateful to them for their commitment to the area.”

Ms Bird said it would be “an opportunity for the Council for the Council to show leadership in this much loved urban blue space.”

Karen Bates, Wardie Bay Watch Volunteer organiser said: “Safe bathing water status is important for the area. Granton deserves this just as much as Portobello. We now have as many swimmers using the beach here. Yet it’s been long overlooked. The beach is semi-wild and a great asset to the city, it shouldn’t be used as a sink – instead it should be a priority to clean it up and make it safe for the swimmers and the wildlife. We don’t believe we should be penalised for a lack of existing infrastructure and protection from the harms of litter and sewage coming in from all tides.”

“The decision not to grant it bathing water status is misinformed. All the reasons given for refusal are things we are working hard to address and it’s her remit to help us do that.”

A letter from Cabinet Secretary for Environment Roseanna Cunningham in September claims the panel didn’t designate bathing water status due to concerns about public safety, land ownership, edinburgh council access and the lack of facilities for bathers such as toilets and litter bins.

The review panel that makes recommendations to Ministers next meets this month and a decision will be made by the government early next year.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said:

“Given this application is currently under consideration it would not be appropriate to comment.”

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