‘Every signature adds weight’ - Petition calls for tighter nurdle restrictions following South Shields spill
A campaigner is calling for tighter nurdle restrictions after a spill in the River Tyne.
A new petition calling for better safety and environmental regulations after a shipping collision in South Tyneside has topped its halfway target – with its promoter insisting: “Every signature adds weight to this call.”
Steve Travis has already won the support of over 120 people in his bid for the 200 signatures he believes will give his campaign more clout.
He wants bosses at the Port of Tyne, at Tyne Dock, South Shields, and shipping and transport regulators to tighten industry rules.
A call for ‘stricter regulations’
Many pellets have turned up on borough beaches, causing anger among environmentalists in South Tyneside and beyond.
Now Steve has started a petition on the popular change.org website.
The petition states that it is an appeal for “stricter regulations in the shipping industry” following what he called a “devasting spill”.
Steve said: “The spread of nurdles, also known as plastic pellets, into the River Tyne has raised fears among charities, local councils and residents, raising stark concerns about the incident's prolonged impact on the North East coastline.
“With many residents citing the incident as the worst environmental disaster the region has seen in decades, calls are mounting for appropriate action, including mandatory measures at sea to prevent another disaster of this kind.”
‘Every signature adds weight’
Asking for supporters to sign the petition, he added: “Every signature adds weight to this call.
“The longer these regulations are delayed, the longer our beautiful coastline, fragile wildlife and local communities pay the price for an industry that has failed to safeguard us.
“We owe this to the beaches we enjoy year round, to the wildlife that visits our shores, to the dogs that run across the sands, the fish that live in the seas and the local communities who reside nearby.
“Please, add your name today and demand better, and hold the shipping industry to account.”
The Port of Tyne has confirmed containers carrying pellets were damaged in the accident, with some spilling into the river.
It said a specialist team was onsite to help with clean up.