Teams from North Tyneside Council, South Tyneside and other agencies are conducting a sustained clean-up after thousands of tiny plastic pellets, known as nurdles, were discharged into the sea following a collision at the Port of Tyne on Sunday (19 July).
Access limited by tides as crews work into the evening
Council staff have been working into the evening to remove the pellets from stretches of coastline that can only be reached at low tide. North Tyneside Council said crews were out until 8pm on Tuesday night as part of what it described as a “round‑the‑clock” operation, and temporary signage has been installed at affected locations.
While the pellets are not classified as toxic, the council and public‑health officials have warned they present a risk to wildlife and other animals that may accidentally ingest them. Authorities are asking residents and visitors to avoid handling the material and to follow safety advice while the clean‑up continues.
“The public health risks on shore are very low, and the plastic pellets are not toxic but can pose a risk to wildlife and other animals if ingested. However, we would encourage people not to handle them and to keep dogs on leads in affected areas as a precaution.”
The comment above was provided by Louise Gray, director of public health for North Tyneside. Councils are sharing information via social media to keep local communities informed about which stretches of coastline are affected and when it is safe to access them.
What residents and visitors should know
- Do not pick up or handle nurdles — they may be small and tempting to touch but could be mistaken for food by wildlife.
- Keep dogs on leads in affected areas to prevent them ingesting pellets.
- Observe temporary signs and follow council social‑media updates about safe access windows tied to the tide.
- Be aware that much of the shoreline can only be worked on at low tide, so cleanup activity will follow tidal patterns.
Local coordination and ongoing monitoring
North Tyneside Council said it is working closely with regional partners to co‑ordinate the response, monitor the situation and deliver a wider clean‑up effort. The operation is being scheduled around tide times to ensure teams can work safely and effectively on the foreshore.
| Incident | Date |
|---|---|
| Collision at the Port of Tyne leading to loss of nurdles | Sunday 19 July |
At present, councils stress that public‑health risks to people on shore are low. The priority remains protecting wildlife, preventing further spread of pellets along the coast and keeping members of the public safe while clean‑up teams continue their work.
Further updates are expected from North Tyneside Council and partner agencies as the clean‑up progresses and beaches are cleared.
