Residents of the Isle of Wight’s largest town could get access to year-round water quality and safety information to encourage people to enjoy the sea.
Ryde Town Council (RTC) will this evening (22nd September 2026) consider Councillor Michael Lilley’s motion on safe access to blue spaces which it says supports wellbeing, community connection, education, and a sense of place.
A councillor’s near-drowning
Councillor Lilley has said he is “lucky to be alive” after nearly drowning off Appley Beach on 10th August 2026. You can hear Councillor Lilley talking on BBC Sounds about the rescue that took place at 39.30 minutes into the programme.
Following the rescue Councillor Lilley spent five days in hospital treated for an infection believed to have been caused by swallowing sea water.
What the motion says
His motion states,
“Ryde is a coastal community whose residents and visitors enjoy the sea throughout the year for swimming, paddling, watersports, recreation and simply spending time beside the water.
“Risks can arise from tides, currents, cold water and other hazards, while water quality can change following rainfall, pollution incidents and sewage discharges.”
Gaps in current monitoring
Noting that official bathing-water monitoring is seasonal and Environment Agency (EA) advice that non-designated waters are not routinely monitored for bathing-water quality, the motion proposes several resolutions.
Proposed actions
These include developing a year-round water safety and water quality information approach for Ryde using clear, positive and informative communications and promoting existing trusted sources of information, including EA Swimfo and Surfers Against Sewage Safer Seas and Rivers Service.
Another proposed action is exploring the establishment of a Ryde volunteer water-quality monitoring group, working with appropriate partners including charities, the EA and academics.
When councillors will decide
RTC will vote on the motion at a meeting running from 7pm at the Methodist Church on Garfield Road.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
