Beach bonanza

A consequence of the economic uncertainty is that even more families are likely to holiday in Britain during next week's half-term school holiday, and through the summer. These numbers will swell even further if the weather – that perennial imponderable – holds, with many heading for the coast and providing a welcome boost for seaside businesses.

If they visit the Yorkshire coast, one of this region's greatest gems, they can do so safe in the knowledge that the water quality conforms to EU standards, with a clear correlation between the findings of the Good Beach Guide's latest edition – published today – and the blue flag awards that were announced earlier this month.

Though many disapprove of the EU's interference, this is one policy area that is providing Britain with lasting environmental benefits. Pollution is now actively discouraged, thanks to the stringent nature of testing procedures, and resorts know that visitor numbers will fall sharply if their beach does not meet the latest cleanliness criteria.

The fact that several beaches in Yorkshire will be forced to undergo considerable improvements, in order to meet exacting new standards that are due to be introduced in 2015, is also good news – holiday-makers should have nothing to fear if they, or their children, have a gentle paddle in the sea. They should not find themselves at risk of treading in effluent.

What might help visitors, however, is the regulators and watchdogs pooling their resources so beaches have to adhere to one set of criteria.

As well as ending confusion, it will provide an even greater focus to the continuing work to ensure the waters off the East Coast rival those of the Mediterranean in terms of quality – even if the temperatures of continental Europe cannot always be matched.