Social Democrats Cllr for the Greystones District, Jodie Neary is encouraging local swimmers from Greystones, Kilcoole, Newcastle and Delgany to engage in the public identification process by Wicklow County Council and include The Cove in Greystones as a bathing site they’d like to see added.
Local authorities must identify official bathing areas in their area every year so that they can be monitored for safety, water quality and their level of use. Wicklow County Council are now asking people who swim at beaches, lakes and rivers to tell them if they think they should maintain existing designated bathing waters designations or give a new official bathing area designation to areas that are commonly used for swimming, but not identified at the moment.
Speaking on this Cllr Neary says, “this is a great opportunity to have the popular Cove in Greystones identified as an official bathing site. The Cove has been growing in popularity for many years now but lacks official status. A survey I carried out two years ago received over 500 responses and identified The Cove as the most popular swimming spot in Greystones, with 72 per cent of respondents saying they regularly swim there.
“Due to a public campaign in 2020, supported by Deputy Jennifer Whitmore, the Cove is now regularly tested for water quality and monitored by the Council. However, there needs to be more in terms of safety, and getting designated status will help our case to get a lifeguard and other services in future which can make this area as safe as possible to swim in.
“I am regularly in touch with the Council on the status of the Cove and while water quality has been excellent for a number of seasons now, I believe it’s now time this much-loved beach received official status and a discussion on the provision of facilities facilitated. I would encourage everyone who swims to send in their nomination, and nominate The Cove as part of this process.
“If you wish to propose your favourite beach/river etc as a new bathing water site or comment on an existing site, visit WCC’s consultation hub at https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/ConsultationHub or post your submission to Michael McNamara, Administrative Officer, Planning, Development and Environment, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Station Road, Wicklow Tel 0404-20236” concludes Cllr Neary.
Closing date for submissions to Wicklow County Council is 9th June 2022.
