Project to clear up Burnham-on-Sea's coast given thumbs up by town council

Mark Wakeling, from Surfers Against Sewage, spoke at the Burnham and Highbridge Town Council meeting on Monday (December 11) and told councillors it is ‘vital’ the council takes action to reduce plastic waste and its impact on marine life.

“I grew up in this area and have lived and windsurfed in Burnham for the last 25 years so I have quite a big interest in keeping the sea clean,” Mark said.

“The South West is the second worst region in the UK for plastic on beaches and plastic has increased by ten per cent in the last year.

“I frequently find single use plastics such as bottles and straws which is killing marine life, we all need to do our bit to reduce plastic.”

In his presentation to the council, Mark said billions of tonnes of single use plastic bottles are found on coastlines across the UK every year and said more than 60 per cent of these are not recycled.

“We have a few great teams of volunteers who clear up the beaches in Burnham, Berrow and Brean every two weeks but this motion will help to reduce the amount of single use plastics going into the sea,” Mark said.

The motion, which was backed unanimously by councillors, will see the council encourage residents to ‘say no’ to single use plastics such as straws and takeaway coffee cups to make their coastlines plastic free.

Burnham MP, James Heappey also gave his backing to the campaign. In a letter read out at the meeting, Mr Heappey said the amount of plastic washed up on beaches is ‘horrendous’ and urged the council to back the motion.

“The amount of plastic that is washed up on our beaches is horrendous and it is gut wrenching to see the amount of it that has obviously been pecked or bitten by birds or other marine life,” Mr Heappey said.

“Much of the plastic on Burnham beach originated locally so by committing to the Plastic Free Coastline we can make a difference to marine life in our area.”