By Bruce Fegen

FIFE WAS riding on the crest of a wave yesterday after four more of its seaside locations were granted designated bathing beach status.

Leven, Kirkcaldy (Seafield), Kinghorn (Harbour) and Tentsmuir Sands can now boast of having water fit to swim in, and The Courier understands there could be further good news for Leven and Kirkcaldy when the annual Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are announced tomorrow.

Two Fife bathing beaches— Roome Bay at Crail and Pettycur at Kinghorn—were among six the panel was asked to consider withdrawing the designation from because of low usage, but the minister accepted the recommendation that they should be retained.

Nationally, the number of designated bathing waters has risen by a third—to 80—and it means that swimmers, surfers and paddling children will benefit from improved water quality and a cleaner environment at more locations in future.

Yesterday’s announcement by the minister for the environment, Michael Russell, came just ahead of the 2008 bathing season, which officially begins tomorrow.

He said, “All of these new designations are already widely used by the public.

“Today’s announcement means the relevant authorities are now obliged to ensure that they measure up against the tough standards on bathing water set by Europe.

“Maintaining high standards of water quality is important to public health. The public need to have the confidence that they are swimming in the highest quality of water, even if at times the Scottish climate can make swimming a bit bracing.

“Recognised status also allows beaches the chance to win quality awards, including the prestigious Blue Flag, a valuable accolade in attracting tourists.

“After last year’s rather miserable summer, I hope that the 2008 bathing water season brings with it plenty of warmth, sunshine and the chance to take a dip in Scottish waters.

“Our beaches are a wonderful natural resource and I want to see that everyone has the chance to use them, and be aware that they are doing so safely.

“The task for SEPA, Scottish Water, the farming industry and the local authorities will be to ensure that the new designations become compliant with European law.”

Fife Council’s housing and communities committee chairman Brian Goodall welcomed the announcement and said it was “good news for Fife.”

“It’s also more good news for Fife in advance of the Blue Flag awards which will be announced on Monday.

“We want to make the Kingdom a great place to live, work and visit and the more people who can take advantage of our beaches knowing they are of the highest possible standard, the better.

“I’d also like to thank Robbie Blyth, our beaches and coast officer, for his help in ensuring Crail and Kinghorn (Pettycur) kept their designation. They faced losing it for being under used but he put forward a case to keep the water sampling in place and this was upheld.

“As we go into the summer season, the message is clear: Fife’s beaches are among the best in Scotland, if not the UK, and we’d love to see them used by visitors, old and new.”

Bryan Willis, who chairs the Scottish Bathing Water Review Panel, said, “This announcement is great news for the bathers and water users of Scotland.

“It means that there are now 80 designated bathing waters in Scotland, 77 coastal and three inland, where people can use the water knowing that its quality is being sampled and reported on, ultimately protecting the health of those people who go in the water.”