THE River Avon in Fordingbridge will become a designated bathing water site in time for summer, subject to consultation.

It comes after residents launched a campaign in October last year.

Five swimming spots in the South East have been shortlisted to become designated bathing water sites ahead of the warmer months and benefit from regular water quality monitoring, the Water Minister revealed today, Monday, February 26.

The announcement comes as part of the government’s plan to improve water quality across the country.

Subject to a two-week consultation, the River Avon will benefit from regular water monitoring from the 2024 bathing water season, which runs between May 15 and September 30.

READ MORE: Campaign launched to clean up the water quality of River Avon in Fordingbridge

If designated, the site will receive regular water monitoring from the Environment Agency, which will investigate pollution sources and identify steps to be taken in response, which could include actions by water companies, farmers and others.

All residents, bathers, businesses, and organisations are invited to have their say before the consultation closes on Sunday, March 10. 

Water Minister Robbie Moore said: "Many people enjoy spending time in our rivers, lakes, and coastal beaches, and I am thrilled to see five new bathing water sites proceeding to consultation in the South East alone.

"I want to continue to improve the quality of our bathing waters, which is why we are taking action across the board to drive up standards and hold water companies to account.

"I encourage all local communities and organisations with an interest to take part in this consultation and have their say."

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Last year, 96 per cent of bathing waters in England met minimum standards and 90 per cent of bathing waters in England were rated as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, up from 76 per cent in 2010, despite the classification standards becoming stricter in 2015.

The government also updated its guidance last year to make the application process clearer and easier to follow.

The South East bathing waters are among 27 new swimming spots expected to be designated across England.

The five sites in the South East which were selected include the Rivee Avon, Fordingbridge, Wallingford Beach in Berkshire, Goring Beach, Worthing Beach House and Rottingdean Beach in East Sussex.