A large-scale clean-up operation to recover debris and shipping containers washed ashore between Selsey and Bognor Regis is continuing into the weekend, councils have confirmed.
The response is being jointly coordinated by West Sussex County Council, Arun District Council and Chichester District Council, working alongside environmental specialists Ambipar. Agencies say their overriding priorities remain public safety and the protection of the local environment.
Since Monday 8 December, Ambipar teams have carried out extensive shoreline surveys and waste management work along approximately 28 kilometres of coastline. Ground crews and drone technology have been deployed to locate, assess and recover material washed up during recent severe weather.
Dedicated waste management and segregation sites have now been established to safely handle recovered debris. The main site in Selsey spans an area roughly equivalent to eight tennis courts, while a second site in Bognor Regis, set up on Thursday 11 December, covers the size of around two tennis courts.
In just four days, collection teams and volunteers have gathered an estimated 19,000 litres of bananas, alongside one and a half 40-yard skips of plastic waste and one 40-yard skip of mixed waste. To put this into perspective, a single 40-yard skip can hold the weekly household waste of around 25 to 30 families.
To support the ongoing operation, additional 40-yard and 70-yard skips and 20-foot tautliners have been brought to the sites, with further equipment arriving to enable work to continue at pace over the weekend and into next week.
Ambipar has also been responding to reports from members of the public around the clock since Monday, with councils expressing their gratitude for the community’s support in identifying debris locations.
However, authorities are urging people to remain cautious while visiting affected beaches. Members of the public are strongly advised not to enter or climb into washed-up containers, even those containing bananas. Officials warn that many containers are structurally weakened, unstable and may contain sharp metal or debris capable of causing serious injury.
Councils have praised the “incredible” response from volunteers and say support from the community has been vital to progress so far.
Residents wishing to volunteer can safely do so between 9am and 3pm each day at the following locations, where officers will be available to provide guidance and equipment:
- Bognor Regis: Gloucester Road car park
- Selsey: East Beach car park
Litter-picking equipment, including high-visibility tabards, litter pickers, bin bags and gloves, will be available subject to demand. Volunteers are asked to follow on-site instructions and safety guidance, including working in pairs or small groups, wearing appropriate clothing and footwear, staying well clear of machinery and the waterline, and avoiding cordoned-off areas.
Officials have also stressed that young children and pets should not be brought along, and that any hazards should be reported directly to Ambipar staff, who will be clearly identifiable in branded uniforms.
The clean-up operation is expected to continue over the coming days as teams work to safely restore the coastline.
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