Mechanical vacuum to remove plastic nurdles from West Norfolk beaches following North Sea tanker collision

A mechanical vacuum will be used to collect and remove plastic nurdles from West Norfolk beaches following the North Sea tanker collision.

From today, West Norfolk Council has appointed spill response company Oracle to carry out the work at Brancaster, Titchwell and a stretch from Holme to Old Hunstanton.

Nurdles are not toxic, but they can present a risk to wildlife if ingested.

A borough council officer will accompany staff from Oracle who will be using the machine.

Cllr Sandra Squire, cabinet member for environment and coastal, said: “We continue to approach landowners across our coastline to get their feedback on the plastic nurdle issue on their beaches and to see how we can support them.

“Our cleanup teams have done an incredible job removing some of the bigger burnt nurdle masses but this machine should help as we move to the next phase of our beach cleanup of this pollution.

“I would like to remind our residents that, although nurdles are not toxic, they can present a risk to wildlife if ingested. Please keep dogs on leads for now.

“Don’t touch any nurdles you find. We are doing regular beach surveys of the beaches in our area to identify areas that need cleaning.”

Work will take place on the following days:

• Brancaster (National Trust), today (Wednesday)

• Titchwell (RSBP), tomorrow (Thursday)

• Holme to Old Hunstanton (Le Strange/Norfolk Wildlife Trust), Friday

Hayley Roan, senior sites manager at RSPB Titchwell Marsh and Snettisham, said: “We are really grateful to the borough council for their fast and efficient response in cleaning up the loose nurdles.

“However, plastics remain a serious concern - they can be mistaken for food and enter the food chain, posing a significant threat to wildlife.

“This is an internationally important area for wildlife, where rare and threatened species are just beginning to return to breed. It's also a living landscape and the incredible biodiversity here supports the fishing industry, tourism, and thousands of local jobs.

“This incident is a stark reminder of why protecting our sea and shorebirds and their habitats is so important.”

Dr Jon Burton, managing director from Oracle Environmental Experts, added: “We are glad that we are able to assist in the clean-up effort of the pre-production plastic pellets (nurdles) along the West Norfolk coastline.

“The clean-up will remove these potentially environmentally harmful microplastics from this environmentally sensitive area, protecting the local wildlife and reducing the wider environmental impact.”

If you come across any nurdles or possible pollution along the coast, you can phone Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email zone8@hmcg.gov.uk

People are asked to provide a 'What Three Words' location or a grid reference to assist HM Coastguard to identify the exact location.

Victoria Egan, general manager for the National Trust on the Norfolk coast said: "As a conservation charity, we're incredibly grateful for the response and support we've received from multiple agencies and authorities in cleaning up the plastic pellets that have washed ashore at Brancaster Beach.

“With tides turning this week, Oracle's use of a mechanical vacuum to collect and remove some of the loose nurdles from the strandline comes just in time.

"We remain deeply concerned about the long-term impact of this plastic pollution on the Norfolk coast and its wildlife, which could continue to be washed up for weeks and months to come.

“Any pollution incident can have a devastating impact on wildlife and this is a vital time for many migratory birds as they return to our shores for the breeding season, as well as marine life including seals and fish."