Clean up work at Lynemouth

Lynemouth clean-up scheme moves to next stage

The next stage of works to tackle the historic pollution at Lynemouth beach are getting underway. 
 
Last year the council agreed funding to kick-start the clean-up work. Estimates suggest the project could cost in the region of £7.5m. The Council made financial provision of £2.5m in its financial plans for next year’s budget 
 
The Council’s Cabinet agreed to release an initial £500,000 so that essential pre-construction activities could be progressed. 
 
The detailed proposals are currently with the Council’s Planning Department for their consideration and approval.   
 
Subject to receiving an Environmental Waste Permit, which is being sought alongside planning, it is hoped work will begin in the spring to excavate over 200,000 tonnes of cliff material from which wastes will be extracted and sensitively disposed of, before placing back the remainder of the material. 
 
Ahead of this, an area of fly-tipped non-hazardous material in the upper cliff will be removed and taken away to landfill. 
 
The site will also be prepared ahead of the main works, with the top layer of ground being removed to stop migrating birds nesting at the site over the spring, as this would result in the works having to be delayed. 
 
Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “After decades of neglect we remain determined to do all we can to clean up this stretch of coast. 
“While we await the green light for the main works it’s important we do as much advance preparation as we can to address any issues so that the main works are not delayed, while also making a start removing some of the non-hazardous material. 
 
Since the problem was identified a number of temporary measures have been introduced in the area. These include air monitoring, the temporary diversion of the England Coastal Path and continued pollution clearance.  
 
The council has also been doing additional clean-up visits on the beach to remove any waste materials that are washing out from the site. 
 
Local Ward Councillors Cllr Scott Dickinson and Liz Dunn said: “This essential work is past a milestone now and progressing well, we have been pleased to play our role in supporting officers to continue this great work. 
 
We are proud of our areas and want to continue to ensure this legacy mess over many decades is resolved and beauty restored. It was essential that we all worked together to put this right and commit to ensuring its competition. 
 
Contracts Manager for BAM Nuttall James Potter, who are carrying out the work, added: “We are happy to utilise our expertise to support Northumberland County Council and the local community in what is the first important step to improving the environment along this stretch of coastline.   
 
“This early work will help prepare the project to move forward into the main works phase. We look forward to engaging with the community throughout the project to help leave a lasting legacy ‘’ 
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