Bathing warning issued for several island beaches

People have been warned not to swim at several Isle of Wight beaches because of water pollution.

The Environment Agency issued a bathing water alert on Wednesday for Gurnard on the north of the island and along the east coast in the Shanklin and Bembridge areas.

Southern Water's River and Seas Watch website details outfall releases affecting bathing waters in all three of the areas.

Isle of Wight Council urged anyone planning to visit the beaches to check the latest bathing water information before swimming.

A council spokesperson said it had taken "immediate action to support public awareness and safety" and would continue to ensure people were kept updated.

"Warning signage was installed at affected locations at the earliest opportunity, and information was shared through the council's website and social media channels," the spokesperson said.

"These actions were taken to help ensure residents, visitors and local businesses were aware of the advice and able to make informed decisions."

Ian Vallance, who owns and runs the Wight Dive School based in Cowes, said: "In the Bembridge area diving at this time of year is superb.

"Not to be able to dive there is just a nightmare for us.

"We've got lots of people visiting the Isle of Wight who have booked in to do courses, so we have to honour those courses.

"It just costs us money because we will have to come to the mainland and use water centres."

He said bathing alerts for the island seemed to be "becoming more and more regular", with diving being stopped every two or three months.

There have been several warnings not to swim on the island's coast this summer due to pollution.

In June, people were urged to stay out of the water at Totland Bay and Colwell Bay after the Environment Agency found contamination along the west coast.

In May, untreated sewage poured into streets and gardens at East Cowes after a large pipe burst.

Following the burst, Southern Water started discharging into the sea. The Environment Agency advised people to avoid going in the water at Gurnard, Cowes and East Cowes.

A second sewage spill also in May was caused by an unplanned power outage at the Cowes High Street pumping station.

A Southern Water spokesperson said: "We understand the public concern around storm overflows and are committed to reducing our reliance on them through our £1.5bn Clean Rivers and Seas Plan, which has already prevented hundreds of storm overflow releases in its first year.

"Storm overflows are designed to operate during periods of heavy rainfall to help prevent the sewer network from backing up and flooding homes, businesses and roads.

"In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, we're investing £341m to reduce storm overflows including a recently announced £20m scheme to reduce them at Newport, Gurnard, West and East Cowes and Ryde."