09/04/25 Update
Beach cleanup following the tanker collision in the North Sea
The beach clean-up operation that began three weeks ago (19 March) by the borough council and partner agencies, following the tanker collision in the North Sea, is to be scaled back as the operation moves from recovery to business as usual.
Plastic nurdles had begun washing up on the West Norfolk coastline and were being recovered by the clean-up team. Cllr Sandra Squire, Cabinet member for Environment and Coastal, said: “With many agencies scaling back their operational role here and moving from a proactive to a reactive response it is right for our cleanup teams and other departments, who have done exceptional work dealing with this emergency, to focus on their regular day-to-day responsibilities.
“790,000 individual plastic nurdles and additional burnt fused nurdle mats have been recovered from West Norfolk beaches by our teams, along with partner agencies and landowners, but I urge people to continue to report if they find more of this pollution washing up on our coastline by completing the online form for our teams to go and clear.
“While the primary responsibility for addressing this pollution rests with the polluter, there is likely to be opportunities for voluntary community involvement in future clean-up efforts. Given the nature of the pollution, any public participation would be supported with appropriate training and guidance from the council.”
Officers from North Norfolk District Council helped West Norfolk Council staff plan and carry out a clear-up of Scolt Head Island last week. With an internationally important bird population, and with bird nesting season beginning, it was vital to carry this work out without disturbing the wildlife on the island.
Hayley Roan, Senior Sites Manager, RSPB Titchwell Marsh and Snettisham, said this is an additional concern for sea and shorebirds visiting our coastline: "It’s deeply frustrating that charities, landowners, and local authorities are left to clean up the mess caused by industrial pollution. While we’re grateful for the collaboration between agencies and landowners to protect our coastline, nurdles should never have reached our beaches, and the cost and responsibility should not fall on the public or environmental charities. These small but hazardous plastic pellets pose a significant risk to our internationally important bird populations. We're particularly worried as these plastics could be mistaken for food and enter the food chain.
“This is an internationally important area for wildlife, and rare and threatened species are just returning to breed. Our coastal areas are living landscapes that support not only wildlife but also industries like fishing and tourism, which provide thousands of jobs. The UK is globally important for its seabirds, yet we’ve already seen a 62% decline in seabird populations over recent decades.
“Alongside the urgent need for continued beach clean-ups, this incident serves as a stark reminder of why we must protect our seabirds' breeding grounds, ensure they have access to plentiful food, and reduce their mortality rates. The government must step up its support to help our seabirds recover and thrive."
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.
“We have been closely monitoring Blakeney Point for any signs of plastic pollution in the wake of last month’s North Sea collision between the Stena Immaculate and the Solong, and unfortunately clumps of burnt plastic nurdles have now been found on the strandline.
“Our rangers will be carrying out a comprehensive Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Techniques survey, which will help to determine the extent of the pollution, its proximity to nesting ringed plovers, and the most appropriate clean-up approach for this sensitive environment.”
"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."
If you find nurdle pollution, please report it online at west-norfolk.gov.uk/coastalissue. Our cleanup teams will investigate and remove the pollution they find. The council still advises that you do not handle it and please do not let dogs ingest any of it.
Beach cleanup following the tanker collision in the North Sea
21/03/2025
Subject: Beach cleanup following the tanker collision - update 21/03/25 -
See a short "question & answer" document below
Good afternoon Councillors and Parish Councils,
Many thanks for the support and communication you’ve shared related to the multiagency response to the tanker collision in the North Sea and subsequent beach cleaning operation that the borough council began on Wednesday 19 March 2025.
Also attached is a beach clean-up FAQ guide which may help should you receive any enquiries.
We released a media statement on yesterday, 20 March, and video for local media about the start of our clean-up activities.
Should you wish to share the video, which contains relevant information for residents and visitors to our beaches, the direct links are below:
If you come across any nurdles or possible pollution along the Norfolk coast please call Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email zone8@hmcg.gov.uk - If possible, please provide a 'What Three Words' location or a grid reference to assist HM Coastguard to identify the exact location.
Our clean-up teams will be out clearing local beaches again next week.
News from other agencies
Andy Bullen, Chair of the King’s Lynn Conservancy Board reports:
“King's Lynn Conservancy Board (KLCB) is working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in a clean-up operation at sea collecting nurdles.
“We have had two vessels, supported by a "mother" tug out all week.”
A spokesperson for the National Trust said:
“Visitors to Brancaster Beach may already have seen signs of the early response to the plastic pellets and pieces of burnt plastic resin that have washed ashore, following the North Sea tanker collision last week.
“Contractors working for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have been on site assessing the debris that has washed up. They have been gathering up the pieces of plastic and moving them beyond the tide line, ready to be removed from the beach.
“The next phase of the clean-up will be co-ordinated by Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council and we will be supporting this effort in any way we can.
“We remain deeply concerned about the long-term impact of this plastic pollution on the Norfolk coast and its wildlife, as the small size of the nurdles means that they could continue to be washed up for weeks and months to come.”
“Members of the public are advised not to touch or collect this debris, and to keep dogs on leads in the area.”
Tim Baldwin, Digital Communications Officer
Tel: 01553 616506
Frequently asked questions:-
Is the plastic pollution dangerous?
The plastic pellets or nurdles are not toxic but can pose a risk to wildlife and other animals if ingested, which is why we’re cleaning up as much as possible. Please keep dogs on leadsfor now and don’t touch any nurdles you find. Our clean-up team are wearing gloves and using litter pickers as a reasonable precaution because they’re handling the waste.
Should I stay off the beaches for now?
It’s still fine to visit. All we ask is you continue to take care with anything that you come across on the beach. It is a good idea to keep off the tide line so that you aren’t making the plastic more buried, or moving it about on the beach. Please keep dogs on leads for now and don’t touch any nurdles you find.
Did any fuel wash up from the collision?
So far, there is no evidence of this. Some of the burnt clumps of nurdles might give off an odour like fuel but that’s simply because plastic is a product that is made from oil and cansmell strongly when heated or burned.
Can I volunteer to help with the clean-up?
The borough council are cleaning the large pieces of plastic. There will be an opportunity to help when we start nurdle clean up.
Should I report any plastic pollution I come across?
Please call Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email
zone8@hmcg.gov.uk - If possible, please provide a 'What Three Words' location or a grid reference to assist HM Coastguard to identify the exact location. We are doing surveys of beaches in our area to identify areas that need cleaning. This clean-up operation will likely take a few weeks as we have a large coastline to cover and further waste might wash up during that time, so please bear with us as we move from beach to beach.
How are you removing the smallest pieces of plastic?
We are carrying out tests for the best methods. This is likely to involve sieving so that only nurdles are removed. This may be where volunteers could help for the long-term clean up.
Who is part of the clean up?
The borough council is working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and their contractors, ITOPF (a non-profit specialist), Norfolk County Council, the Environment Agency, local nature and wildlife groups and other emergency response agencies
What other areas are affected, and how are protected habitats being cleaned?
We are communicating with other councils to share knowledge, and working with North Norfolk District Council on their cleanup. Also with RSPB, Natural England, Norfolk Wildlife Trust and English Nature to make sure our efforts are co-ordinated and sensitive habitats and wildlife are protected.
Please follow “Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk News & Events” on
Facebook for ongoing updates.