Pollution warning in place for sewage at Cullercoats Bay

The public have been warned to avoid swimming in the sea at Cullercoats Bay, a popular paddleboarding destination on the North Tyneside coast.

The warning has been issued by campaign group Surfers against Sewage who have published a map showing the locations where warnings and alerts are in place.

A message posted on their website says bathing is not advised due to ‘poor annual classification’.

It added: “Cullercoats is a resort beach enclosed by piers at each end making a very sheltered bay. 

“Although there are no sewer overflows discharging directly at Tynemouth Cullercoats, a large number discharge into the River Tyne which meets the sea just to the south of the bathing water.”

An interactive water pollution map by campaign group Surfers Against Sewage (Image: Surfers Against Sewage)

Read more: Which North East beaches have had sewage dumped into the sea today

The news is yet another blow to the region's coastline which has been dogged with pollution fears following mass crustacean deaths in Teesside and further afield over the past year.

In a move to crackdown on the ongoing issue the new Environment Secretary has given water company chiefs two weeks to set out “significant improvements” to prevent sewage being dumped in open water.

Labour has called for “tougher sanctions”, including prison sentences, for water bosses responsible for pumping raw sewage into the UK’s rivers and beaches.

Dozens of pollution warnings were issued for beaches and swimming spots in England and Wales last month following heavy rain that overwhelmed the sewage system.

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