Folkestone, a seaside town hailed as one of the best places to live in the South East of England, is facing a worrying future as a popular tourist destination. Despite receiving accolades earlier this year from The Sunday Times, high levels of pollution, including faeces and E. coli in the sea, have sparked concerns that Folkestone’s beaches could soon become no-swim zones.
Out of the six bathing areas in Folkestone and neighboring Hythe, four are at risk of receiving ‘poor’ classifications next year, triggering official ‘do not swim’ advisories. Littlestone and St. Mary’s Bay already carry such warnings, while Folkestone beach and Dymchurch face a similar fate.
Adding to the community’s distress, the recent closure of Folkestone Sports Centre, a vital swimming facility for residents, has further fueled local frustrations. With Hythe Swimming Pool also on the brink of closure, residents fear they will be left with nowhere to swim in the district.
At a recent Folkestone & Hythe District Council meeting, Cllr Jim Martin expressed his deep concern over the Environmental Agency’s (EA) perceived lack of understanding regarding the pollution’s root causes. He described the situation as ‘terrifying’ and urged immediate action to prevent the town’s decline.
Local swimmer Peter Wick, 78, a longtime member of Folkestone Swimming Club, highlighted the importance of safe, clean swimming spaces. Wick emphasized the ‘massive impact’ the sports centre’s closure has had on the community and stressed the need for swift action from the agencies.
Recent data paints a concerning picture. Dymchurch beach recorded an average of 188 E. coli colonies per 100ml, Littlestone measured 139, and Folkestone 73. These alarming figures suggest human waste is entering the water. While some improvements have been observed in certain areas, the overall water quality remains below acceptable standards.
The EA has stated they are actively investigating the pollution alongside partners like Southern Water and Folkestone & Hythe District Council. However, the slow pace of progress has left many locals frustrated by the lack of concrete action.
The potential impact of ‘do not swim’ warnings could be devastating for Folkestone’s tourism, particularly during the busy summer season. Local businesses heavily reliant on beach visitors could suffer if the sea becomes off-limits to swimmers.
Cllr Martin has urged the Environmental Agency to allocate sufficient resources to address the issue and prevent further deterioration in water quality. He emphasized the need for collective responsibility to clean up the coastlines.
The situation’s clarity will emerge when the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) releases its water quality classifications in December. Should Folkestone receive further ‘poor’ ratings, it could mark a turning point for one of the UK’s most cherished coastal towns.
