UK Bathing Waters Group

Transcription

1 UK Bathing Waters Group UK Bathing Waters Conference 2017 Delivering Success in a Changing Environment Catrin Finch Centre Wrexham Glyndŵr University November 2017 The continuing need to manage compliance with the Bathing Water Directive and the uncertainties brought about by Brexit presents a challenge for policy makers, regulators, water utilities, local authorities and bodies with an interest in coastal tourism and leisure. This conference will bring together all the principal stakeholders to help ensure these challenges are addressed in a timely and cost effective manner. Conference themes are: protecting our Bathing Waters for the benefit of our communities, the environment and to support economic growth, engaging and communicating with the public and appropriate stakeholders, what are the future challenges we face? As pre-conference options there is a visit to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and an informal workshop on using Microbial Source Tracking Topics to be discussed include successes in compliance with the new directive, infrastructure improvements, the control of diffuse and agricultural pollution, local authority engagement, community partnerships, and a look into the future with the anticipated new standards despite the uncertainties of leaving the EU. There will be invited guests and speakers from Policy Makers and Regulators, Practitioners, Local Authorities, Tourism Bodies, Research Institutions and other relevant organisations. The conference is open to delegates from the UK administrations and regulatory bodies, Local Authorities, UK Water Companies, relevant NGOs and representative organisations. Conference sponsors include: Defra, National Oceanography Centre, Northumbrian Water, SEPA, Scottish Government, Southern Water, Welsh Government, Yorkshire Water.

2 Conference Programme Delegates are invited to assemble on the evening of Monday 20 November The main conference will run from 0830 on Tuesday 21 November through to 1300 on Wednesday 22 November. A conference dinner will be held in the Ramada Plaza Hotel on Tuesday evening. There is no charge for attendance or for the conference dinner, but delegates will be responsible for making and funding their own arrangements for travel and overnight accommodation. Booking is now open. Early reservation is suggested as numbers are limited to 150, and the special accommodation rate at the conference hotel is available only on a limited allocation of rooms and for a limited time. In the event of over-subscription the organisers reserve the right to limit places from each organisation to ensure all key stakeholders are represented. Optional Workshop - Understanding Microbial Source Tracking. Microbial Source Tracking (MST) has advanced considerably, especially within the last two years, and is an important part of the wider use of environmental DNA testing. While still not a universal panacea, increasing options and decreasing costs combine to make it even more accessible. This workshop is intended to give operational staff an up-to-date view of what can (and cannot) be done, and how best to use it, all in an informal atmosphere. The workshop will be led by Jonathan Porter from the Environment Agency s Starcross Laboratory and by Ruth Stidson from SEPA. It will be held in the Ramada Plaza (conference) Hotel from 18h00-19h00 on Monday 20 November. Attendance is free and all conference delegates will be warmly welcomed. However room capacity is limited and if you wish to participate you MUST indicate this on the booking form.

3 Pre-conference visit to Froncysyllte Monday 20 November, The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a spectacular structure taking the Llangollen Canal across the Dee Valley at a height of 126ft. Opened in 1805, it is a grade 1 listed structure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors may cross the aqueduct on the towpath. A coach will pick up from the main hotels and Wrexham General station. Return will be in time for those wishing to participate in the MST workshop. Please indicate on the booking form if you would like to attend. Conference venue The conference will be held in the Catrin Finch Centre on the main campus at the Wrexham Glyndŵr University. The Centre is a short walk from Wrexham General Station and free parking is available. Wrexham Glyndŵr University Mold Road Wrexham LL11 2AW Accommodation options The Ramada Plaza Hotel Ellice Way Wrexham LL13 7YH The 4* Ramada Plaza Hotel is located about 10 min walk from the conference venue, 15 min from Wrexham General Station and is close to the main A483. A special rate of 85 per night B&B (single occupancy) has been negotiated for conference delegates. The Ramada will be the venue for the MST workshop and the conference dinner. To book at the conference rate call the hotel on and quote NOC There are a number of other hotels available with the following all reasonably close to the venue. Premier Inn, Wrexham LL11 2BY is opposite Wrexham General station and only 3 min walk from the venue. Free parking. Lemon Tree (3*) 29 Rhosddu Rd, Wrexham, LL11 2LP Wynnstay Arms (3*) Yorke Street, Wrexham, LL13 8LP

4 Delegates are required to book and pay for their own accommodation. Please note that booking a place at the conference does not reserve accommodation! Travel Rail: Wrexham General (NOT Wrexham Central!) is situated on the Chester Shrewsbury Cardiff/Birmingham line with a minimum of 1 train per hour. Typical travel times are Birmingham: 1h40. Cardiff: 2h45. London: 2h30. Manchester: 1h50. York: 3h30 Road: Venue and Hotel are just off the A483 with dual carriageway through to the A55/M53/M56. Free parking is available at both the Catrin Finch Centre and the Ramada Plaza Hotel. Air: There are reasonable public transport links from Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool Airports. From Ireland, the ferry port of Holyhead is 92 miles along the A55 with regular train connections. If you have any queries please Bathingwaters2017@noc.ac.uk.

5 Ramada Hotel Main Entrance to University Catrin Finch Centre enter via main entrance

6 To Ramada Hotel Conference here Parking From station

7 Bathing Waters Conference 2017 Booking form Name: Position: Organisation: Phone number: (If we need to contact you on the day) Do you have special dietary or other requirements? Please reserve me a place at the MST workshop on 20 November: Please reserve me a space on excursion to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on 20 Nov Yes/No Yes/No Lunches on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 November and the conference dinner on 21 November will be provided. Delegates will need to make their own arrangements for dinner (if required) on Monday 20. Please return to bathingwaters2017@noc.ac.uk If you have an access or other special needs requirement, please contact the conference organisers to ensure appropriate facilities and support is available at the venue. You still need to arrange you accommodation! See page 3 of this flyer.