THERE'S no reason to feel blue in Cleethorpes!
Cleethorpes beach is officially one of the best in the country after maintaining its Blue Flag status for yet another year.
Awarded by Keep Britain Tidy, the accolade means it is one of the cleanest sandy stretches in the UK – and is a much-needed boost for this year's tourist season.
Additionally, Cleethorpes Central, Cleethorpes Marine Embankment and the area surrounding the Humberston Fitties, picked up the new Seaside Award, formerly the Quality Coast Award.
Portfolio holder for Leisure and Tourism, Councillor Mick Burnett, praised council staff who work all year round to keep the resort clean.
He said: "This is absolutely fantastic news. It tells people this is a clean and tidy, family-friendly resort for everyone to enjoy. It is vital for tourism which is why we are very proud to have it yet again.
"It requires a lot of hard work by council staff, who I offer my personal thanks to."
The resort faces a tough summer due to February's landslide at Hatfield Main colliery in South Yorkshire, which has cut Cleethorpes off to TransPennine train passengers. It is hoped trains will be running by July, but if the weather is bad, this could be delayed until September.
The first Saturday TransPennine Express train from Sheffield will run this weekend on a different line, stopping at Retford and Grimsby.
Mr Burnett added: "The landslide is unfortunate. It is a problem, but we will get on with it to get people into our fantastic resort. The Blue Flag Award is bound to help that."
Cleethorpes was judged on facilities, cleanliness and water quality – the criteria of which was its strictest this year – and is one of 55 Blue Flag beaches in the UK.
After a run of achieving the accolade, the status was lost in 2008 following the devastating floods of 2007, which affected the water quality, but regained in 2009 and continued to fly in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
East Lindsey District Council's beaches in Mablethorpe, Skegness and Sutton on Sea were also awarded.
Traders gearing themselves up for another bank holiday welcomed the news.
Gary Harding, of Tom's Bargain Centre in Alexandra Road, said: "There is a tough season ahead for all traders and the Blue Flag Award will only help that.
"It shows the good work of the council. They do an excellent job with the beaches and the roads in the area.
"This is bound to help the bucket and spade trade."
But Terry Allenby, of Harry Ramsbottoms Fish and Chips, wants the council to do more. He added: "This is really positive news but it is about the only thing our local council does to support us. They should be investing more money into attracting people here. Hopefully the Blue Flag will encourage more people to the resort."
Click here to find out how other UK beaches fared.
First TransPennine Express will be operating a special train between Sheffield and Cleethorpes from Saturday, May 25. - Departs from Sheffield at 10.30am - Arrives into Cleethorpes at 12.13pm - Seating capacity: 181 - Return train departs Cleethorpes at 18.11pm - Arrives in Sheffield at 19.58pm - Both the inward and outward train will call at - Cleethorpes - Grimsby - Retford - Sheffield *Please note neither the inward or outward train will call at Doncaster or Scunthorpe - Seat reservations available now online at www.tpexpress.co.uk A two for one ticket offer is available for the replacement buses and the Saturday rail service. This is will be available from Saturday. Nick Donovan, First TransPennine Express, managing director said: "We have been working very closely with our colleagues at Network Rail to restore the line between Scunthorpe and Cleethorpes as quickly as possible. "The engineering challenge the landslide presented has been a complex and challenging one for all and the shear scale of the operation in and around Hatfield and Stainforth has been immense. "I am therefore delighted with and welcome the positive news from Network Rail that substantial progress has been made in removing much of the spoil and starting the re-build of the railway infrastructure. Whilst there is still a significant amount of work to be completed we are striving for the restoration of services before early Autumn. This is great news for rail passengers and affected communities on the route. "From Saturday, May 25, we will be running a special Sheffield to Cleethorpes train service via an alternative route and we have put in a place a 2 for 1 special ticket offer for that rail service and also the bus replacement service."
Editor's Comment AFTER a torrid early spring, dogged by horrendous weather, sand turning the streets into a desert and a rail landslide causing chaos, we read today how Cleethorpes has received a triple tonic! Good news: The direct train may well be on track for July, hopefully before the children break up from school for their summer holidays – meanwhile the direct Saturday train running on a different line will start this week. Good news: The resort has been awarded a prestigious Blue Flag, retaining it after winning it in 2012. Awarded by Keep Britain Tidy, the accolade means it is one of the cleanest sandy stretches in the UK. In addition Cleethorpes Central, Cleethorpes Marine Embankment and the area surrounding the Humberston Fitties, has picked up the new Seaside Award, formerly the Quality Coast Award. Good news: The Cleethorpes In Bloom team has launched its local In Bloom competition, which will see residents sprucing up their surroundings. Let's hope we have a fourth bit of good news over the bank holiday weekend, with some warm sunny weather to encourage the crowds into our resort. *Do you visit Cleethorpes, or are you going anywhere over the half term? Follow the editor on Twitter @michellelalor
