Environment Secretary ‘Appalled’ By Plastic Bead Spill At Camber Sands

The Environment Secretary says she is “appalled” by the pollution incident that saw huge numbers of plastic beads wash up on Camber Sands beach.

Emma Reynolds told MPs she is “holding Southern Water to account” and has called for a thorough investigation into the spill, which sparked a major clean-up operation by Rother District Council and local volunteers.

Southern Water has apologised and confirmed it has commissioned an independent investigation into the cause.

The company said the beads — used in the water treatment process — are believed to have escaped from the Eastbourne wastewater treatment works following the failure of a screening filter during heavy rainfall.

Reynolds said the “immediate priority is to address the damage caused” and added:

“We need to ask questions about why this wasn’t uncovered earlier.”

Southern Water revealed that, after draining one of its tanks in recent days, it discovered more beads still in the system than first thought — meaning less than 10 tonnes are believed to have entered the sea.

The firm says around 80% of the beads have now been removed from the beach thanks to the clean-up efforts.

Environment Minister Emma Hardy is visiting Camber Sands today (Thursday) to see the site for herself.

A public meeting is being held this evening at Tilling Green Community Centre in Rye, chaired by local MP Helena Dollimore, with representatives from Southern Water, Strandliners, and Rother District Council.