Alison Griffiths, MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, has renewed calls for the clean-up following the Baltic Klipper incident to continue until all debris is removed, and for assurances that local taxpayers will not face any hidden or residual costs.
Raising the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, she paid tribute to the community groups, volunteers and residents who have led clean-up efforts along the West Sussex coastline since containers from the Baltic Klipper went overboard.
The MP asked the Prime Minister to facilitate a meeting with the responsible minister to address ongoing concerns, including the environmental impact and the financial burden of the operation.
She also pressed for firm action to ensure that all costs linked to the clean-up are recovered from the polluter, including the ship’s owners, those who chartered the vessel and their insurers.
In response, the Prime Minister joined her in praising the local response, describing volunteers as “the very best”. He made clear that liability rests with the polluter, and said his expectation is that local authorities should recover all costs incurred.
He also confirmed that arrangements would be made for Alison Griffiths to meet with the appropriate minister to discuss the matter further.
Commenting, Alison said: "At a time where we have seen our beaches and marine wildlife devastated, the other side to the story is the response from the community, which has been incredible.
"I am grateful to the Prime Minister for his kind words about all the volunteers who have led the clean-up; as he said, they have shown "the very best" of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.
"I will be pursuing the meeting with the Minister responsible with all urgency. Residents want their beaches back, they want all the debris cleared up, and they don't want to be left footing any of the costs through their council tax.
"I have written to the local authorities involved in the clean-up operation, as well as the various government agencies, and my hope is that we can work constructively and collegiately to resolve this on behalf of the community."
Alison has also raised a number of Written Parliamentary Questions with the Government on the Baltic Klipper incident, to ensure that lessons are learned so this doesn't happen again.
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