Council aims to double number of Blue Flag beaches

Securing coveted ‘Blue Flag’ status for two popular city beaches is among the aims set out in the new Draft City Development Plan 2017-2023.

Galway City Council says it plans to retain the Blue Flag at Salthill and Silverstrand beaches and wants to extend this designation to include Ballyloughane Beach in Renmore and Grattan Beach in Claddagh during the lifetime of the plan.

The water quality at Ballyloughane and Grattan beaches has been highlighted as poor on several occasions following testing by the authorities.

Bathing has been banned at Ballyloughane and Grattan at various points in the past two years, including during the peak Summer months when dangerous levels of bacteria were discovered in the waters.

The Draft Development Plan aims to rectify this, bringing the total of Blue Flag beaches in the city to four.

“Both Salthill and Silverstrand beaches are significant assets for the city and have Blue Flag status. The Council will seek to retain the Blue Flag status of Salthill and Silverstrand beaches and extend this status to Ballyloughane and Grattan beaches through improved water quality standards in co-operation with Irish Water,” it says.

Galway Bay, the plan says, is “an integral part of the aesthetic landscape and culture of the city”, which has many benefits.

“The ties between the city and the sea are exhibited in its strong maritime history and the traditions of areas such as Claddagh, Fishmarket, Docks and Salthill, a traditional seaside village, which attracts visitors throughout the year.

“The coastline is an important tourist and recreation attraction stimulating economic activity, providing local amenity and related socio-economic and health benefits. The southern section of Inner Galway Bay is designated as economically significant shellfish growing waters,” the plan adds.