Blackpool pier boss speaks out after birds on North Pier blamed for pollution setback for bathing water

The owner of Blackpool’s North Pier has spoken out after the numbers of birds congregating there were flagged up as a possible cause of sea water failing the grade on bacterial pollution testing.
By Richard Hunt
Published 5th Dec 2022, 19:18 BST
Updated 6th Dec 2022, 12:20 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Peter Sedgewick says the pier company has made great efforts in recent years to deal with the number of seagulls, pigeons and huge numbers of starlings – but says it is hard to stop them coming.

Blackpool North – the beach opposite the Blackpool Tower between North and Central Pier – failed to meet the grade in testing for bacterial water pollution by the Environment Agency last week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The tests proved such a concern that bathers were advised not to swim in the sea there.

Blackpool Pier owner Peter Sedgewick says efforts have been made to combat the huge numbers of birds gathering on and underneath North Pier. Sea birds, in particular, have been linked to localised pollution by the Environment AgencyBlackpool Pier owner Peter Sedgewick says efforts have been made to combat the huge numbers of birds gathering on and underneath North Pier. Sea birds, in particular, have been linked to localised pollution by the Environment Agency
Blackpool Pier owner Peter Sedgewick says efforts have been made to combat the huge numbers of birds gathering on and underneath North Pier. Sea birds, in particular, have been linked to localised pollution by the Environment Agency
Read More
Bathing ‘not advised’ in Blackpool North sea after water quality deemed ‘poor’ b...

Coun Jane Hugo, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, expressed disappointment at the findings after a string of impressing results in tests since 2015, the year in which the EA began to require water companies to install monitors at bathing water sites, capturing data on sewage discharge.

And she added: “The Environment Agency has provided DNA evidence that means we are confident that this is a localised issue caused by seabirds.

“The samples are taken close to North Pier where we know that seabirds congregate both underneath the pier and as a result of people leaving food on the Spanish steps.

Peter Sedgewick, owner of North Pier.Peter Sedgewick, owner of North Pier.
Peter Sedgewick, owner of North Pier.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We will be speaking to the RSPB and pier owners as a matter of urgency to see what steps can be taken ahead of the next samples being taken in May.”

Mr Sedgewick, who owns all three piers via the Blackpool Pier Company Ltd, said: “We don’t want these birds any more than anyone else, because they do make such a mess.

"We have done all we can to try and discourage them but you have to be careful because whatever you try, there are always people protesting that you’re being unfair to the birds.

"We’ve spent money on dummy eagles and put them all over the place but it didn’t work.

Coun Jane Hugo, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and EnvironmentCoun Jane Hugo, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment
Coun Jane Hugo, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We thought about various kinds of fencing but it wasn’t practical. We’ve just learnt to live with them now.”

The Environment Agency says clean bathing water is vital to UK tourism and says standards have improved in recent years – but the Agency says there is still more to be done.

Related topics:North PierBlackpoolBlackpool NorthEnvironment AgencyCentral Pier