Plea after deluge of litter in Hartlepool as ease of lockdown sees unusually high level of visitors to seafront

Picture taken by Alison Dormer of the mess left after the bank holiday weekend

Images were taken on Tuesday May 26 – after the bank holiday weekend – of rubbish on the Headland, such as at Fish Sands and Sandwell Gate.

Resident Alison Dormer, who lives over on the Headland, said it’s not the first time scenes like this have been spotted and urged people to play their part to look after the ‘gorgeous area’.

She added litter spotted included bottles, cans, plastic buckets, spades, towels, disposable gloves and face masks.

Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs also echoed calls for residents to play their part to keep the area tidy after clearing up broken glass on the beach, and reminded residents of current Covid-19 restrictions in place.

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Retired school teacher Mrs Dormer praised council refuse collectors for the work they do cleaning up the area, but said the problem is now at a ‘tipping point’ and those visiting have a role to play.

She said: “The overwhelming majority of people are brilliant and we’re extremely grateful for everything they do to help keep our Headland lovely and clean and tidy.

“It’s only a tiny number of people who are not picking up after themselves. It just reached a tipping point over the weekend and you just think, oh come on.

“The rubbish on the beach it’s not going to go anywhere fast. Who is it down to?

“It’s when it’s on such a large scale, that’s the upsetting thing, that’s the frustrating thing.

“We just want the area to be lovely for absolutely everybody. If the area is not looking so good, if it’s looking messy and full of litter then people aren’t going to come and visit.

“You want people, socially distancing of course, to visit and have a lovely time, that’s what it’s about.

“Fish Sands is an absolutely gorgeous little place, it’s a sun trap, it’s perfect for families.”

Mrs Dormer said she, and other residents, often pick up litter from on the beach and paths, and said council workers also work extremely hard to ensure any waste is picked up.

She also added bigger bins for the area could also help resolve the issue, and council chiefs said they would look into it.

Council bosses stressed residents need to keep the borough as clean and tidy as possible, especially as they help tackle Covid-19, and called on people to make sure they dispose of rubbish responsibly.

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesperson said: “Irrespective of the bank holiday, since the Government relaxed restrictions on exercise and recreational activity the number of people visiting the promenades, beaches and parks in Hartlepool appears to have been much higher than usual.

“Particularly concerning to the authority is the disregard by some people for the on-going Covid-19 situation.

“The safety of our staff who have to go into these areas to clear up broken glass and potentially contaminated materials when people do not act responsibly remains our upmost priority.

“We have an on-going commitment to keep the town as clean and tidy as possible, and we had teams of staff out over the bank holiday weekend emptying bins and litter picking.

“Staff spent a considerable amount of time in the vicinity of the Fish Sands clearing waste that went way beyond ‘normal litter’, including lots of empty alcohol bottles and broken glass.

“Whilst the purchase of bigger litter bins is something we might consider when circumstances allow, we would urge residents to support our efforts to keep the town as clean and tidy as possible – particularly at this time when resources may be deployed elsewhere in the community to respond to COVID-19 issues.

“Where people find a litter bin to be full, we would ask that they take their waste home and dispose of it there in a responsible manner.”

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