THE scale of debris washing ashore along the East Sussex coastline has widened, with new reports confirming cargo has now reached the beaches of Bexhill.
Residents have reported finding large quantities of onions and packets of earplugs along the shoreline, believed to be part of the cargo lost at sea during recent storms near the Isle of Wight.
The items are the latest additions to a growing list of debris, including polystyrene, insulation foam and food products that has already affected beaches from Seaford and the Seven Sisters through to Eastbourne, Pevensey Bay and now Rother.
In response, community groups have stepped forward to support official clean-up operations. The Bexhill Environmental Group has announced an organised beach clean this weekend, encouraging residents to help restore the shoreline safely.
In a post on Facebook, the group said: “BEACH CLEAN West Parade loos Saturday 17th January, NEW TIME 10–12pm. All equipment provided, please bring your own gloves and reusable mug for refreshments. Everyone welcome, children too.”
Rother District Council has confirmed that a clean-up operation is already underway across its coastline, with teams working to safely remove debris and the remains of shipping containers.
A spokesperson for the council said: “A clean-up operation is underway to safely remove the remains of a shipping container and debris that have washed up on a number of beaches along our coastline in Rother. We would encourage the public to take extra care if they are visiting our coastline, and if they see any debris, please report it to our coastal team via email at: coastal@rother.gov.uk.
“Other coastal areas in East Sussex have also been affected, and we will continue to work with our district, borough and county colleagues and the relevant agencies to monitor the situation and clear the affected beaches.”
Authorities have repeatedly urged members of the public not to touch or remove washed-up cargo themselves, warning that some items may pose risks to health, pets and wildlife.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency continues to lead the offshore response, while local authorities remain responsible for clearing debris from beaches.
With further debris expected to surface as tides and weather conditions change, residents are being asked to remain vigilant, report sightings and follow safety guidance as clean-up efforts continue along the Sussex coast.
