EU action over dirty beaches

The government insists action is being taken

The European Commission is taking the UK to court after 47 beaches, seven in Scotland, failed bathing water standards.

The commission announced that it was prosecuting the UK in the European Court of Justice under the Bathing Water Quality Directive, which came into force in 1985.

The move follows the publication in May of a report naming 47 British beaches where water standards were not being kept. The number was down from 56 the previous year.

The beaches in Scotland were Irvine New Town, Ayr South Beach, Ettrick Bay, St Andrew's East Sands, Stonehaven, Turnberry and Eyemouth.

In the 1999 report, the UK's rate of compliance with EU norms was 91.4%, up from 88.7% in 1998.

A sewage outfall flows across a beach

By comparison, the average compliance rate across the EU was 95% and Ireland had a 98.3% record, with only two holiday spots out of 130 failing.

The Bathing Water Quality Directive aims to ensure that bathing waters meet minimum quality criteria by establishing a set of binding standards for a range of key parameters, including the presence of faecal bacteria in sea water.

A spokeswoman for the department of environment, transport and the regions said: "The commission's decision is disappointing.

"The government believes that the commission has not given full consideration to the considerable steps being taken to improve bathing water quality.

"Last year, bathing water quality in the UK was the best ever, and we expect this rising trend to continue.

"We accept that further improvements are necessary, which is why we have a substantial clean-up programme in place.

Sweden is also being taken to the European Court of Justice over bathing water quality on its beaches.