Sinn Féin Mourne’s Councillor Willie Clarke has welcomed the decision taken by Newry Mourne and Down Council Marine Task Force to undertake an audit of all beaches in the council area.
Cllr Clarke said: “Our council area with a coastline of approximately 100 miles, presents a recreational asset for tourism and the local community. The audit will undertake a comprehensive analysis of the predominant use of the beaches, in our area, identifying access, parking, available facilities, cleanliness, litter bins, toilets.
“The East coast of County Down has plenty of unspoilt stretches from Carlingford Lough to Strangford Lough, of sands, shingle beaches, with places like Murlough, Tyrella and Cranfield Blue flag beaches, and some of the towns and Newry are close to superb stretches of beach.”
“The more rugged beaches in Lecale and Mourne have beautiful sands, often as smaller coves set amongst magnificent cliff scenery. The Council have recently applied for EU Bathing Water Designation for beaches already identified in Kilclief, Ballyhornan and Killough.
Cllr Willie Clarke added: “Beaches have an association with a particular leisure pursuit, others are popular with tourists and many are local recreational beaches. It is essential that we record the beaches in our area so that we can begin to tackle the many issues including litter and poor access and basic facilities to ensure a quality visitor experience is available.”
