Portobello beach sees improvement in its water quality

The beach got the thumbs up from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), but remains at risk of failing to meet new water quality standards unless urgent action is taken.

The beach is among 83 across the UK that could fall foul of more stringent European standards being introduced in 2015.

The news came as the MCS released its annual survey of bathing water quality for beaches across the country.

Are you planning a visit to Portobello beach now its got a clean bill of health? Vote here

Of the 17 beaches in the Lothians, there were improvements at six, while four declined and six stayed the same.

The remaining beach, Broadsands in East Lothian, received "recommended" status, but there were no comparative figures for the previous year.

Among those also achieving the highest rating for bathing water quality were Seacliff and Seton Sands, both in East Lothian.

Portobello Central, the area of the beach from King's Road to James Street, also received the highest "recommended" status, after failing last year.

But both Portobello West and Portobello Central were named in a list of beaches set to fail stricter European mandatory minimum water quality levels due to come into force in five years.

The MCS said this was based on Portobello averaging the same scores in the next four years as those it had achieved in the previous four.

Calum Duncan, MCS's Scottish conservation manager, said: "We've recommended Portobello for our Good Beach Guide based on last summer's data. The year previous, Portobello actually failed, and in 2008 and 2007 Portobello Central just scored a basic pass.

"What we're saying is that given the data from the past four years, if these levels are to be replicated over the next four years, then Portobello would be classed as poor under the European directive."

He added: "This is just to flag up that we need to be thinking about the level of investment we need to continue to make. Hopefully, we can get these beaches up to the necessary standard by 2015."

There would be no fines or penalties for Portobello failing to come up to the required standard, but authorities said it would "send a message" about the beach's cleanliness.

The MCS said bathing water quality in Scotland had been declining since a peak in 2004, with fewer beaches reaching stringent quality standards.

The decline is due to heavy summer rains carrying raw sewage out of the sewer system through combined sewer overflow pipes and pollutants like animal waste, fertilisers and refuse being washed from farm land and city streets into rivers and the sea.

The latest bathing water tests were conducted from June to September 2009, a period which was wetter than normal in most areas.

It is hoped that planned investment programmes by Scottish Water over the next five years to extend sewage systems and reduce raw discharges, combined with a reduction in the number of sewer overflows and emergency overflows, will benefit bathing waters.

Dirty bathing waters carry health risks including gastroenteritis and other diseases.

Environment minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "Ensuring good water quality and clean beaches will allow Scottish families and summer visitors to enjoy a safe and enjoyable seaside experience.

"Bathing water and beach management is important, not only to Scottish communities but also to the economy."

She added: "Our beaches are a wonderful natural resource and I want to ensure that we can maximise their benefit for Scotland."

Faded glamour of a holiday destination

SANDRA DICK

THERE'S a rusty lock and chain securing the tall, black wood gates that guard the entrance to Portobello's Fun City.

The sign on the wall still declares "Fun Park", but peek through holes in the gates and the view is of scrap wood and yellow flowered weeds.

It's a hint of what Portobello once was: a thriving and fun seaside destination, where families flocked.

There was a flavour of that at the weekend, says Andrew Lynch, 73, of Mount Lodge Place, Portobello. He says: "The sun brought everyone out, but there's not much here for them. The council needs to put more money into Portobello."

He recalls the 1950s when buses brought tourists from the west who pitched tents at the open-air swimming pool. Today, the pool and the shops are gone. The Porto Restaurant fish bar is open, but boss Mau Lan Li says:

"We need a good summer."

Nearby, The Espy and the Beach House cafe jostle for trade, but other than two amusement arcades, a swimming pool and two swing parks, there's little else.

Not that some need any more.

Lisa Tompkins, 43, from Gorgie, watches son Luke, seven, paddle in the water.

"I've come prepared," she laughs. "I've brought warm trousers, extra socks and a cagoule. It's the beach, but it's the beach in Scotland."