Clean-up teams respond as further containers and debris wash ashore in West Sussex
Joint statement from West Sussex County Council, Arun District Council and Chichester District Council.
Teams involved in the clean-up of waste from the West Sussex shoreline are responding as more containers and debris come ashore.
Ambipar have recovered a significant amount of debris from the container washed ashore at Elmer in Bognor Regis. AR Banks remain on site to recover the container sections across the region. To date, it has not yet been possible to recover most of the container at Elmer because of the weather and water conditions and this work is ongoing.
A further container that landed at Selsey has been partially recovered by AR Banks teams, who will return to site to recover the remainder over the coming days as weather and sea conditions permit.
There is no confirmation yet on which ships the new containers came from.
Teams involved are also responding to further waste materials coming ashore right across the West Sussex coastline, from the West Witterings to Shoreham.
We would like to remind members of the public that any containers and their contents that have been washed ashore may well be unsafe both for people and animals. We therefore strongly advise you not to go near them and help by also keeping children and pets clear.
Find further information on the clean-up and guidance on staying safe along the coastline.
Anyone spotting waste washed ashore in West Sussex can contact Ambipar directly on 01202 653 558 or email marine.response@ambipar.com.
We understand more containers have been sighted afloat around the West Sussex coastline and we are working with partner agencies who are tracking these.
Anyone who spots containers afloat offshore along the coast should report these directly to Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
We are also hearing of containers and debris being washed ashore outside of West Sussex.
While the three councils and the contractors involved in the clean-up in West Sussex can operate within the county only, we are working with neighbouring partners to share information and co-ordinate operations.
This remains a developing situation, and we will update again as soon as possible.