A COUNCILLOR has urged the local authority and other relevant agencies to work together to win blue flag status for Rhyl stating - "We should not shy away from the scheme because we are afraid we might fail".

Earlier this year, Prestatyn Central Beach was the only one in North Wales to receive the coveted Blue Flag status by Keep Wales Tidy.

Rhyl Central achieved the Seaside Award.

Independent County Councillor Mark Young, of Denbigh Lower ward, has now put a notice of motion forward which will be considered during a full council meeting tomorrow (Tuesday, July 4). 

The Green Party are supporting his motion. 

The notice says: "That council officers work proactively with relevant agencies towards Rhyl receiving the awarding of the iconic Blue Flag which is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats.

"In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.” 

A group statement by cllr Young; cllr Martyn Hogg, Wales Green Party, and Lewis Guerrero of the Kitesurfing cafe, said: "We believe that the globally recognised Blue Flag scheme is an important, independent measure of the quality of water and beaches that has been a driver of improvement in coastal areas all around the world. We should not shy away from participating in this scheme because we are afraid that we might fail.

"We should participate in this scheme and strive to surpass its standards.

"We are investing tens of millions in the rejuvenation of Rhyl and the Denbighshire coastline to make it a great seaside destination that we can be proud to welcome tourists to.

"Ensuring an ecologically safe and healthy environment must be part of the regenerative process and signing up for the Blue Flag scheme will be a positive move in the right direction."

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Criterias for a Blue Flag beach include achieving "excellent" bathing water quality, visibly clean water, compliance with water quality sampling, displaying information about bathing water quality and having a beach management committee... just to name a few. 

Prestatyn beach was the only one in North Wales to be given the award last year.

Many beaches lost their Blue Flag status when new rules were introduced.