"The government said the plans would increase the number of England's official bathing sites to 464. An official bathing spot on the Thames in London would mark a "vast transformation" in water quality in the river which was declared biologically dead in the 1950s due to pollution, officials said. Water minister Emma Hardy said rivers and beaches were "at the heart of so many communities, where people come together, families make memories and swimmers of all ages feel the benefits of being outdoors safely"."
"In 2025, 87% of the country's designated bathing sites were rated excellent or good, and 93% met at least the minimum grade, but 7% - 32 sites - around England failed to meet minimum standards for water quality."
"It is known as the "friendliest port", which stems from an occasion on Wednesday 6 July 1935, when RMS Mauretania sailed past Amble on her final voyage, en route to the docks at Rosyth to be broken up. The clerk to Amble Urban Council sent the captain of the Mauretania a message of greeting: "Amble to Mauretania. Greetings from Amble, last port in England, to still the finest ship on the seas". "Mauretania to Urban Council, Amble, to the last and kindliest port in England, greetings and thanks. Mauretania.""
Thirteen new bathing sites have been proposed for official designation across England, which would raise the total to 464 if approved. Designation would require regular water-quality testing at each site, increasing monitoring and potentially prompting additional cleanup efforts for rivers and coasts. Proposed locations include the first official bathing spot on the River Thames in London, the Broadchurch filming location, a meadow-and-river area linked to The Wind in the Willows, and a Yorkshire site where the River Swale flows over limestone steps. In 2025 most designated sites met quality standards, but 32 sites failed minimum levels.
Read at www.bbc.com
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