Water standards on Manhood Peninsula beaches revealed

West Wittering and Bracklesham Bay topped the pile after being classified as excellent – the highest classification possible.

Selsey was labelled ‘good’.

“This is excellent news for all our beaches as the new ‘good’ classification is broadly equivalent to the previous highest standards and ‘excellent’ is twice as stringent,” said Roger Barrow, cabinet member for environment at Chichester District Council.

“These are the first classifications announced under the revised bathing water directive and so we are incredibly pleased with the results.”

The tougher criteria were introduced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Cllr Barrow added: “All partners will continue to focus on trying to improve water quality even further, with the hope that all of our beaches will be classified as excellent in the future.”

More information about the classifications can be found at www.gov.uk/government/news

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