West Sussex shipping containers: People in Bognor 'are still waiting for answers'; more debris is 'making its way' to harbour and nature reserve
Bognor Regis’ MP said people are ‘still waiting for answers on some important questions’ after debris and containers washed ashore last week – in what has been described as a environmental ‘disaster’.
A major clean-up operation, to recover debris and containers washed ashore between Selsey and Bognor Regis, continued over the weekend.
Climping Beach Conservation said it urgently needed volunteers following the discovery of insulation foam ‘strewn across Climping Beach from Elmer all the way to the River Arun’.
Arun District Council issued a social media appeal on Monday (December 15), which read: “As work is scheduled to take place over the coming days to remove the shipping container on Bognor Regis seafront, we kindly ask that litter picking in the Gloucester Road area is paused. A huge thanks to all the volunteers who supported the beach clean-up over the weekend.”
There is concern that more of the debris is making its way into Pagham Harbour and the nature reserve, which has been described as ‘hard to access’.
The incident first unfolded on Monday, December 8 – when containers lost from cargo ship Baltic Klipper washed ashore in areas of West Sussex. Since then Ambipar environmental specialists – supported by resident volunteers – have carried out extensive shoreline and waste management work. Ground crews have been supported by drone technology as they identify and assess material.
Fixed-wing HM Coastguard aircraft have also been flying ‘counter pollution patrols’ along the coast.
Chichester MP Jess Brown-Fuller said: “The remnants of this disaster continue to wash up on the beaches across the whole constituency, including in the Witterings, all the way along to Bognor beach. If you spot waste you do not think has been reported, please email [email protected].
“I remain concerned that more of the debris is making its way into Pagham Harbour and the nature reserve, which is hard to access. Last week I asked if a boom could be fitted to protect the harbour, but the metal washing up would make this ineffective and destroy the equipment so the option had been discounted. I have asked for this to remain under review.”
Alison Griffiths, MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, visited Felpham beach on Saturday morning (December 13) – ‘doing what I can, alongside many other people who have simply turned up and got stuck in’.
She added: “Thank you to Felpham Village Conservation Public Group for organising. There have also been teams out again in Bognor Regis, and I was on site there yesterday and Thursday.
“This has been a phenomenal volunteer-led effort, and I cannot express my thanks enough.
“I’ve been pushing for clear information, firmer timelines, and better communication about what happens next. I’m grateful that the councils have mobilised quickly, but a huge amount of the work so far has been driven by the community, and people are still waiting for answers on some important questions.”
To see the MP’s full list of questions, see her Facebook update: https://www.facebook.com/AlisonGriffithsMP/posts/pfbid02q4weCg5Gwa3myi4vGZukKw9Rtukh7EWuJaZdeuQRuS87CwLu94ZYwXNd2ePJmogVl
The containers which washed up were carrying fruit such as bananas and avocados, which were heading for supermarkets. According to www.petmd.com, the risk of avocados ‘outweighs the benefits’ for dogs.
The operation is being co-ordinated by West Sussex County Council, Arun District Council, and Chichester District Council, together with environmental specialists Ambipar.
They said their joint priorities ‘remain the safety of the public and protecting the environment’.
The Felpham Village Conservation Society has been involved in a beach clean-up. Around 30 volunteers came to clear debris from Longbrook to Summerley.
Volunteer Glenn Powell wrote on Facebook: “You will have seen were of amazing community responses in Selsey and Bognor. But be assured Felpham was doing its bit! More people will be out this morning if you want to help. Bring bag, gloves and picker if you have one.”
Mr Powell told this newspaper: “We were able to gather people around because we all knew that it was going to be a difficulty with the polyurethane. They were large sheets and were beginning to break up.
"It was a stormy wet day and we were out in the rain and cold and doing what we could. We asked ourselves: do we pick up bananas and avocados, or do you pick up the plastic? And there was no real information around.
"There were storms with strong winds, and by the next day they had mostly passed. However, there was still a lot of debris left behind, so it was worth doing a beach clean.
"I happened to be there at the time and focused mainly on Felpham, although the debris had come from the Bognor direction. Coincidentally, it was also the day of the Felpham Village Conservation Society’s monthly beach clean on the Saturday.
“It’s unsightly, not nice for community – and not nice for dogs. So everybody wanted to do their bit. Everybody wants to do something for the community after a disaster like that.”
Dedicated waste management and segregation sites were established to ensure that all recovered material is handled and disposed of safely. As of Friday, the site in Selsey covered the size of around eight tennis courts, while the Bognor Regis site, set up on Thursday, December 11, covered roughly the size of two tennis courts.
The councils added: “To date, collection teams and volunteers have gathered approximately 19,000 litres of bananas, along with one and a half 40-yard skips of plastic and one 40-yard skip of mixed waste. A single 40-yard skip can hold the weekly household waste of around 25 to 30 families, giving a sense of the scale of material being recovered.
"We would like to remind anyone visiting the shoreline that the washed-up containers are not safe to enter or climb into. While some may look amusing or tempting to explore, especially those containing bananas, several are structurally weakened, may shift without warning, and contain broken metal and debris that could cause serious injury. Your safety is our priority, and we want everyone to enjoy the coastline without putting themselves at risk.
“The community response from people volunteering to support the work has been incredible and all agencies would like to extend their thanks again for the help so far.”
As the clean-up of beaches between Selsey and Bognor Regis continues, those visiting the shoreline are reminded that the washed-up containers are ‘not safe to enter or climb into’.
Arun District Council added: “While some may look tempting to explore, especially those containing bananas, several are structurally weakened, may shift without warning, and contain broken metal and debris that could cause serious injury.
"Your safety is our priority, and we want everyone to enjoy the coastline without putting themselves at risk.”