Clean-up underway at Scarborough after oil washes up on the beach

A MAJOR clean-up operation is underway along a 15-mile stretch of coastline around Scarborough after pools of oil washed up on beaches.
One of the warning signs posted along the sea frontOne of the warning signs posted along the sea front
One of the warning signs posted along the sea front

The substance has been found in South Bay, Cornelian Bay, Cayton Bay and Filey and the sizes of the deposits vary - with the largest being a the size of a plate.

About 15 dead seabirds have been found and surfers are being warned to stay out of the water until further notice.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Scarborough Borough Council said the deposits, some the size of a plate, began to build up on Sunday afternoon.

Beach users, mainly surfers, were advised to stay out of the sea.

Andy Skelton, head of environmental services, said: “The substance has been found at Scarborough South Bay, Cornelian Bay, Cayton Bay, and Filey.

“We subsequently advised local surfing groups, the main beach users at this time of year, to stay out of the sea until further notice.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are also putting up warning signs at the beaches to advise the public of the problems.

“We have had reports of a small number of dead seabirds being found.”

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which monitors coastal water pollution, said: “We are working together to investigate reports of oil on the beach and in the water off the coast of Cayton Bay down to Filey.

“A counter pollution surveillance aircraft has carried out a search of the area, but no pollution was detected.

“Tests are now being carried out on a sample of the product to try to identify exactly what it is and if at all possible, to determine the source.”