It comes as the borough is to be consulted on additional dedicated sea swimming sites
The beach at Helen’s Bay is a popular spot on those rare sunny days(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
Ards and North Down Council is to make a review of “best practice” regarding bather’s safety in natural waters around its coastline, following the tragic death of a woman at Helen’s Bay last weekend.
Mother-of-four and grandmother Rosa Parkes died after getting into difficulty in the water at Helen’s Bay beach on Saturday, January 24.
The Carryduff woman was pronounced dead in hospital after Bangor and Portaferry Coastguard teams, a coastguard helicopter from Wales, and Bangor RNLI attended the scene with the police.
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At the January meeting of the full Ards and North Down Borough Council, held this week, elected members unanimously backed a proposal by Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall “that the council continues to work in partnership with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to explore best practice with regards to supporting bather’s safety.”
She asked a report from council officers outlining “what else the council can do to promote safety at our beaches and harbours, and any measures that could be implemented.”
The amendment came as the council noted an imminent Stormont consultation on the possibility of additional sites for sea bathing on the borough’s coastline, after a request by the council. In May 2025 Donaghadee and Brompton Bay beaches were formally identified as designated bathing waters, bringing the total in the borough to nine.
Councillor Lauren Kendall said at this week’s meeting: “Sea swimming is popular, and I am glad that the report states we are to extend our bathing waters to enable many people who enjoy sea swimming to do so.
“(But we were) all saddened and shocked to hear the news of Ms Parkes’ death and we extend our sympathy to her family and friends at this very difficult time.”
She added: “This amendment, while it does not provide comfort to a grieving family, is something we can commit to. We already take significant safety measures, but I think we can continue to try and support safety as much as we possibly can for those who visit our beaches and harbours.”
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