Blue Flag Beaches Orihuela Costa

Orihuela Costa (Alicante) – 30 May 2008

ORIHUELA COSTA

Mónica Lorente announces Blue Flag Beaches in Orihuela Costa


	Mónica Lorente

Gala Capitan

Related Article: Blue Flags 2007

The Mayor of Orihuela, Monica Lorente, is very pleased to announce that the Orihuela Costa has just been awarded six Blue Flags, one for each of the following beaches:

Flamenca

Cala Capitán

Barranco Rubio

Cabo Roig

Campoamor

Mil Palmeras

The total number of Blue Flags awarded in Spain this year has fallen by 49 to 527. Blue flags are awarded to beaches and marinas who have met stringent quality standards during the whole of the previous bathing season.

The Blue Flag status is awarded by an independent and non-profit making organisation known as the Foundation for Environmental Education which is responsible for a number of environmental programmes and initiatives worldwide.

The foundation has awarded blue flags to some 3,300 beaches and marinas worldwide, ranging from Canada to South Africa. The criteria for obtaining a Blue Flag requires compliance with strict standards in relation to 29 detailed criteria covering aspects of Environmental Education & Information, Water Quality, Environmental Management and Safety & Services.

A much sought after accolade, the Blue Flag is a strong indication that high environmental standards are being maintained at any beach or marina which flies the flag.

The following are actions planned by the town hall of Orihuela in 2008 to further improve the facilities and infrastructure on our beaches with a total investment of around 327,000€:

Installing a lift and ramps to facilitate accessibility to the beaches of Punta Prima (115,000.00 €) – This is not only a practical necessity but it should also assist the Punta Prima beach in meeting the criteria for a Blue Flag during the coming season.

Refurbishment and replacement, where necessary, of the steps and embankments on the beach at Punta Prima (48,000.00€)

Upgrading of the protective railings in Paseo Maritimo (54,000.00 €)

To improve the accessibility to all beaches (21,000.00 €)

Increase the number of Parking spaces for the handicapped on the beaches (10,000.00 €)

Placement of new signs and information panels on the beaches (60,000.00 €)

Resurfacing of different pathways to the beaches in the area of CAMPOAMOR (19,000.00 €)

Increasing the daily attendance hours of the Red Cross on the beaches.