A HAMPSHIRE MEP has warned Brussels to back off tightening rules on bathing water after the south's beaches were found to be excellent.
The beaches were pollution free with excellent water and none have bathing bans, according to a European Commission report.
Richard Ashworth, Tory MEP for South East England, said: "Our beaches are much cleaner than a decade ago when they were frankly an embarrassment. The clean-up of our bathing water has attracted tens of thousands of British holidaymakers and even tourists from abroad now visit some of our beaches.
"However this clean-up has cost a great deal of money. We should seek to have cleaner bathing water but we must also balance that against rising water bills.
"Our beaches are now some of the cleanest in Europe which is fantastic but any further tightening of laws could see water bills go through the roof for beaches that we may only visit a few times a year."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article