CRAG has been super busy these last months launching and supporting a bid for bathing water status for Amble’s much loved Little Shore beach. This beach at the mouth of the River Coquet has become the focus of a community-led effort to obtain the Environment Agency’s important Bathing Water Designation (BWD), bringing a boost to the family friendly shores of Amble.
A successful bathing water status designation would create a ‘blue space’ for all users of Little Shore to match those held by neighbouring Amble Links and Warkworth beaches. The application has been submitted and was supported by the Harbour Commission, Amble Town Council, Amble Rotary Club, Northumberland County Council, The Swimblers, Amble WI, Surfers Against Sewage. The application was led by the Coquet River Action Group’s (CRAG) Little Shore group.
Applying for bathing water status is a great way to ensure the beach has regular monitoring and reporting of the water quality, placing a greater obligation on the Environment Agency to take action to reduce sewage discharges and other pollution sources. It obliges the local council to provide better public information and to raise awareness of the beach’s water quality which benefits all users of the area. The status is a vital tool in protecting public health, improving water quality and ensuring everyone can enjoy the space. Applications involve a lot of community effort to demonstrate the level of usage of and community support for the beach, beginning with a public consultation and the all-important survey!
CRAG launched the public consultation on Tuesday 13th May 2025, at the packed-out Coquet Yacht Club in Amble, hosted by Amble & Warkworth Rotary clubs and supported by The Swimblers. The deadline for applications was 31st October 2025, and successful applications will be announced in 2026.
CRAG 