We are responsible for the cleansing of a number of beaches in Torbay but only the ones that we are responsible for.
The beaches are given a cleansing priority dependant on their location, usage and time of year and are split into two categories:
Tractor cleaning rota
It may not be possible to remove all of the seaweed in one session. The rota may be disrupted after extreme sea conditions and will change to suit tides and local conditions.
Summer beach cleaning rota
| Beach |
11 April to 22nd May (6 weeks) |
23rd May to 17th July (8 weeks) |
18 July to 4th September (7 weeks) |
5 September to 30th September (4 weeks) |
| Abbey Sands |
Monday
Thursday |
Monday
Thursday
Sunday |
Monday
Thursday
Saturday |
Monday
Thursday
Sunday |
| Preston |
Tuesday
Friday |
Tuesday
Thursday
Saturday |
Tuesday
Wednesday
Friday |
Tuesday
Saturday |
| Paignton |
Monday
Thursday |
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday |
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Saturday
Sunday |
Monday
Thursday
Sunday |
| Goodrington North |
Monday
Thursday |
Wednesday
Saturday |
Wednesday
Saturday |
Tuesday
Saturday |
| Goodrington South |
Tuesday
Friday |
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Saturday |
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday |
Monday
Thursday
Sunday |
| Broadsands |
Tuesday
Friday |
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday |
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Sunday |
Tuesday
Saturday |
Details of cleaning and inspection checks
The checks carried out and cleaning of beaches various throughout the year.
- All main beaches will be visually checked at least 4 times per week, for health and safety and any signs of pollution or damage.
- Litter will be removed from main beaches and nearby walkways by hand at least twice a week and beach litterbins emptied twice per week.
- Larger items such as tree trunks and maritime debris may remain on beaches until practicable to remove.
- Minor beaches will be checked at least once a week and hand picked of minor litter once a week if staff levels allow.
- Damage will be repaired when it presents an immediate safety risk to the public; otherwise it may not be done until risk of extreme weather has passed when it will be prioritised.
- Seaweed will not be removed from any beach during the winter as this provides a natural sea defence against the scouring out of the beaches by aggressive sea conditions.
- The usual procedures will not be possible to maintain after major storms or extreme sea conditions.
- No beach will be supervised during the winter season.
- A recorded check of all lifebuoys will be made twice a week on main beaches and once a week on minor beaches.
- All main beaches will be visually checked at least five times per week, for health and safety and any signs of pollution or damage.
- Seaweed will be mechanically removed under contract by SWISCo during this period, in line with the Cleaning Rota.
- Beaches cleaned are:
- The Cleaning Rota may be disrupted after extreme sea conditions. It may not be possible to remove all of the seaweed in one session. The rota will change to suit tides and local conditions.
- Rubbish bins will be emptied and litter will be removed from the following sites (excluding the surface of the beach) under contract by SWISCo daily:
- Rubbish bins will be emptied and litter removed by us at least five times a week from the following sites:
- Litter will also be removed from the surface of all the main beaches at least four times a week. Larger items such as tree trunks and maritime debris may remain on beaches until practicable to remove.
- Minor beaches will be checked at least twice a week and hand picked of minor litter if staff levels allow. Any damage will be repaired when it presents an immediate safety risk to the public; otherwise, it may not be done until resources allow.
- The usual procedures will not be possible to maintain after major storms or extreme sea conditions. No beach will be supervised during these months. A recorded check of all lifebuoys will be made at least four times a week on main beaches and twice a week on minor beaches.
- All main beaches will be supervised 9am to 5pm seven days a week. Services provided will be at a level to satisfy current Beach Award criteria.
- All main beaches will be checked and litter picked by hand daily, a rota of mechanical cleaning will begin at Easter.
- Seaweed will be removed from the main beaches during the mechanical clean, although the Cleaning Rota may be disrupted after extreme sea conditions. It may not be possible to remove all of the seaweed in one session. The rota will change to suit tides and local conditions.
- All litterbins will be emptied at least once per day and more frequently as needs require and staffing allows.
- Promenades will be litter picked daily each morning and swept as needed.
- Essential maintenance will be done as soon as practicable on a priority basis.
- Non-essential maintenance will be carried out within budget constraints.
- Beach huts and chalets will be maintained to a standard that ensures basic security and weatherproofing. (Not cosmetic)
- A recorded check of all lifebuoys will be made twice a week.
