Coast Care team could help tackle Spittal beach debris

Hopes have been raised that the perennial problem of debris being washed up on Spittal beach might be more readily tackled in the future.
Storm debris washed up on Spittal beachStorm debris washed up on Spittal beach
Storm debris washed up on Spittal beach

Tree trunks, driftwood and even animal carcasses are sometimes washed up on the beach after the River Tweed has been in spate.

However, the recently established Coast Care team might be able to bring in equipment to remove the heaviest debris.

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This was revealed by Coast Care officer Laura Shearer when she attended a meeting of Berwick Town Council to explain more about the project.

The Coast Care initiative aims to protect the north Northumberland coastal area. It is supported thanks to a grant of £522,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and is run by Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Seahouses Development Trust.

A grant from the Local Environmental Action Fund at the Community Foundation has enabled the AONB Partnership to recruit and train volunteers to carry out a year-long beach litter survey on all of the beaches in the area.

“Plastics are a particular problem, particular for surface feeders,” said Laura. “Fifteen per cent of dead birds have died as a direct result of plastic litter.”

Plastic nurdles had been a problem at Cocklawburn beach, she also revealed.