Concerns have been raised at a newly approved water bathing site as water quality was considered “poor” and underscored the urgent need for action.

Edisford Bridge in Clitheroe was the Ribble catchment’s first designated river bathing water site earlier this year following an application by the Ribble Rivers Trust in recognition of its popularity and potential as a site for safe water recreation.

The environmental charity is now appealing for action to be taken to tackle the causes of the pollution that is affecting the river, but also regulatory reforms to better protect water users and hold those involved accountable.

When it was assessed this year the Ribble Rivers Trust felt it highlighted systemic shortcomings in current monitoring and regulatory approaches, putting it at risk of automatic de-designation.

Jack Spees, chief executive of Ribble Rivers Trust, said: “Edisford Bridge is a hugely valuable space for swimmers, paddlers, and other water and is visited by thousands of users each year.

“This year’s poor water quality rating is disappointing but not surprising.

"It serves as a call to action for strengthening the regulations that underpin bathing water designations and addressing the root causes of pollution.”

One key issue is the limited monitoring period during the bathing season, with classifications based on samples collected over just 20 weeks each year.

The group are asking regulators to extend this monitoring period which would provide a more comprehensive picture of water quality issues throughout the year and increase accountability for pollution outside the summer season.

Additionally, they felt that introducing multiple monitoring points would improve the accuracy of ratings, help pinpoint pollution sources, and provide water users with more detailed information on safety.

They also claim that the current system risks de-designating sites that fail to meet quality standards for five consecutive years which they say abandons the site and means that issues are not addressed.

There is also a strong focus on swimmers, with kayakers, paddleboarders, anglers and paddlers – many of whom are young children being ignored and claim there is a need for broader protections for recreational waters.

Local support drove the application process and community collaboration, government agencies, and polluters and the designation of Edisford Bridge demonstrates the power of collective action.

However, they claim that the poor classification underscores that Bathing Water Status is just the first step in safeguarding essential spaces.

 Jack added: “We cannot allow popular sites to be dismissed as ‘too polluted to fix’.

“If we fail to act, we risk losing spaces like Edisford Bridge to de-designation, instead of using them as an opportunity to drive accountability and change.”