'How many nurdles have been collected? ' - South Tyneside Council faces questions over beach clean up
‘As with any long-term recovery operation, methods and resources are being adapted as circumstances change.’
A South Tyneside environmental campaigner wants more details from the council on the latest in the nurdle clear-up.
Efforts to clear up the mess continue, not least by unpaid volunteers. Seventeen tonnes of the plastic pellets spilled at the Port of Tyne on July 19 when container ship BG Orange collided with offshore support vessel Wind Orca.
South Tyneside Council said on September 10 that it remained committed to the clean-up, but the operation had reached a new phase.
Their statement said: “As with any long-term recovery operation, methods and resources are being adapted as circumstances change and as we build a clearer understanding of conditions on the ground.”
Specialist contractors Briggs Marine and subcontractor Nurdle UK have used large suction equipment.
However, this is no longer considered the most effective method and “recovery work will continue using a different approach, including the introduction of additional local labour to assist Briggs Marine personnel”.
The Gazette has asked how much of the 17 tonnes has been recovered in weight and how many people the clear-up involves, but no figures have been given.
The council adds that preparations continue for spring tides, which have previously scattered the nurdles wider still, but details are not yet given. The next two spring tides are September 12 and 28.
Colin Porter of the South Tyneside Nurdle Clean Up volunteer group said: “I’m interested to know what the new considered method of nurdle recovery will be, as opposed to the Nurdle UK large suction equipment which was used and proved very effective.
“The nurdle spillage environmental disaster is certainly still very much with us.
“The upcoming high spring tides will lift nurdles from a lower tideline and bring them back onto our beaches in great numbers again. I was under the impression that Nurdle UK were returning on these known dates to continue clear up.
“The nurdle volunteers have had various meetings with MPs and the Environment Minister, who all agree that budget and cost should not affect the long-term clear up.
“Also, it would be good for the public to know approximately how many tonnes of the nurdle spillage have actually been recovered to date.”
Cllr Matt Blair of the Green Party says he too asked the council “how much material has actually been recovered by weight so far”.