Container clean up continues with guarantee from vessel owners

Monday, 15 December 2025 05:05

The major clean-up operation to recover debris and containers washed ashore between Selsey and Bognor Regis continued over the weekend.

The response was coordinated by West Sussex County Council, Arun District Council and Chichester District Council, working alongside environmental specialists Ambipar.

The MP for Bognor and Littlehampton, Alison Griffiths, told V2 Radio: "I've been pressing the vessel owners to take responsibility and pick up the tab for the clean up, I'm glad this has now been guaranteed.

"We also need to look at how this happened in the first place and learn whatever lessons need to be learnt to make sure it never happens again."

Since last week, teams have surveyed around 28 kilometres of coastline using ground crews and drone technology.

Dedicated waste management and segregation sites have been established to ensure that all recovered material is handled and disposed of safely. The site in Selsey covers the size of around eight tennis courts, while the Bognor Regis site, set up on Thursday 11 December, covers roughly the size of two tennis courts.

Ambipar has been responding to waste reports from the public at all hours since Monday, and all agencies are grateful for the community’s support in helping to identify debris.

The councils say the community response to support the work has been incredible, and all agencies would like to extend their thanks again for the help so far.

More from Local News

CQC publishes inspection reports on maternity and urgent and emergency care in Brighton

The Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton has been told it must make immediate improvements following a damning inspection report from the Care Quality Commission.
Road collision in Oving

West Sussex Fire and Rescue have been called to the scene of a road traffic collision in Oving.
Met Office yellow weather warning for the South

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain across the South, beginning at midnight on Thursday.
Fire fighter in Bognor Regis, takes on skipping challenge

A firefighter from Bognor Regis is preparing to take on a gruelling 12-hour challenge to raise money for a national charity that supports firefighters and their families.
Seaford family who have lost everything after fire

A family in Seaford say they’re devastated after losing four pets in a house fire on Friday night.
People across the South urged to use NHS services during resident doctor industrial action

People across the South are being urged to help support NHS services by choosing the right care, as resident doctors begin further industrial action during one of the busiest periods of the year for the health service.
More drink and drug drivers caught in Sussex

Sussex Police have arrested 56 people for drink and drug driving during the second week of a December enforcement campaign, as officers step up efforts to improve road safety during the festive period.
UPDATED @14:45: Police incident in Bognor Regis High Street

Emergency services were called to the High Street shortly before seven this morning, following concerns for a man’s welfare.
Success for none for profit community scrap store in Eastbourne

Eastbourne Community Scrap Store says it has prevented around ten tonnes of waste from ending up in landfill during its first year of operation.
Child rescued from Chichester Canal

A child has been rescued after falling around three metres into the Chichester Canal on Saturday, thanks to the quick actions of members of the public and emergency services.