Work done at Cullercoats beach after Brown Flag ‘win’

The North Tyneside spot, popular with swimmers, kayakers and padel boarders, was named in a satirical list of brown flag ‘winners’ last year. The so-called awards by travel site Holiday Park Guru were designed to highlight beaches with bad water quality.

The Environment Agency has advised against swimming at Cullercoats Bay since 2017 and has labelled the bathing water classification as “poor”.

North Tyneside Council said efforts to track down the problem have widened over the past year.

Sam Dand, director of environment, said: “Since 2017, we have worked closely with Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency to address water quality issues at Cullercoats.

“The partnership has carried out a considerable amount of work on both public and privately-owned land.

“That work has broadened in the last 12 months as Northumbrian Water seeks to pinpoint the source of the contamination.”

Cullercoats entered the so-called ‘top of the plops’ chart for a second time last year.

Mr Dand said: “We are extremely proud of our internationally recognised coastline and beaches, including Cullercoats, which continues to be a popular destination for residents and visitors.

“Cullercoats remains a vibrant and welcoming beach, and we will continue working with our partners until the water quality matches our aspirations.”

In 2017, North Tyneside Council, the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water carried out a joint investigation into the decline and identified sewage as a major contributing factor.

Northumbrian Water said a later bathing water study recommended diverting contaminated groundwater from a disused council culvert into the combined sewer network, with a new drainage pipe planned for John Street.