Published: Monday, 27th October 2025
Update on the current situation of West Norfolk coastline following the tanker collision in the North Sea in March.
Plastic nurdles began washing up along the West Norfolk coastline following the tanker collision in the North Sea in March. Since then, the Borough Council has been working closely with landowners to monitor the situation and remove burnt-fused nurdles from affected areas.
King’s Lynn Conservancy Board (KLCB) swiftly responded to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA's) request, providing vessel support in The Wash within two hours of recieving the call. The KLCB crew and staff played a key role in the clean-up efforts, collecting 36 tonnes of pollution over the operation working weekends and extended hours, we acknowledge their vital contribution. The last major piece of work was to assist Natural England to dispose of the waste material from Scolt Head Island which had been stored over the summer and removed after bird nesting season had finished.
Cllr Sandra Squire, Cabinet Member for Environment and Coastal, said:
“Within a month of the collision in the Humber, our teams—alongside partner agencies and landowners—had recovered over 900,000 individual plastic nurdles.
“Throughout the summer, many landowners and volunteers organised beach clean-ups, which proved invaluable in removing additional burnt-fused plastic. The Borough Council has supported these efforts by providing cascade training in site surveying and supplying equipment to help collect residual nurdle pollution.
“With continued support from Norfolk County Council, we are still offering collection and waste disposal services for any material gathered by site owners.”
Earlier this month, Borough Council officers convened a meeting with agencies and landowners to review the current situation. While residual pollution is expected to persist for years, fewer large burnt-fused nurdles are now being found with some site owners now saying that they recover 4 or 5 pieces along the whole stretch of their coastline. Landowners are reporting seeing very few pieces at all.
Charles Le Strange Meakin, Trustee of the Le Strange Estate, shared:
“At the start of October, surveying the coastline from Old Hunstanton Lighthouse to Holme we saw very little nurdle waste. Across that stretch we found only four pieces of plastic debris—each roughly hand-sized—mostly near Holme. I suspect that very little if any debris seems to have washed up on recent tides.”
The National Trust at Brancaster reported that their last beach clean and litter pick took place early in the summer, with no further nurdle sightings since.
Peter Nicholson, National Trust Norfolk Coast & Broads General Manager, said:
"Natural England confirmed that burnt debris is still being collected on their land. A further clearance of Scolt Head Island is needed, but access is limited by tidal conditions and bird nesting seasons. Special bins provided by the Borough Council—emptied by Norfolk County Council—are still being used on Natural England land, though less so by other landowners.
"Hayley Roan, Senior Sites Manager for RSPB Titchwell Marsh and Snettisham, added:
“This coastline is internationally important for wildlife, and at this time of year, hundreds of thousands of migratory birds rely on our shores to feed and rest. Sadly, we continue to see plastic pellets washing up on the beach at Titchwell as they move through the marine environment. We’re incredibly grateful to our dedicated local beach cleaners who help us stay on top of this persistent pollution and protect this special place.”
Reporting Nurdle Pollution
If you discover nurdle pollution, please report it to the relevant landowner, including details of the location. More information is available at west-norfolk.gov.uk/coastalissue. The Council advises against handling the material and urges the public to prevent dogs from ingesting it.