Marine litter removed from Rhyl seafront

A litter pick at a popular section of Rhyl’s seafront saw nine bags of marine litter collected.

Fresh from tackling beach areas near the East Nova carpark and Barkby Beach at Prestatyn, Denbighshire County Council’s Flood Risk Team organised an event to cover the coastal areas around Rhyl Pavilion.

Marine litter can block up waterways and drainage, halting the flow of water, leading to a higher risk of localised flooding further upstream.

Getting marine litter off beaches also provides stronger help to natural defences as shorelines, dunes and seagrass beds are more able to maintain their natural function as defences against the sea.

A group of 10, made up of volunteers, Keep Wales Tidy and the flood risk team, removed the nine bags of litter, many containing drink cans and even took a tarpaulin off the sands.

The Rhyl event was also be supported by Keep Wales Tidy who provided some of the litter picking equipment.

Claudia Smith, Coastal Erosion and Flood Risk Officer, said: “We have had such a fantastic response again from volunteers who were really committed to making a difference to the sands around this area. Through everyone’s efforts there will be less risk of local flooding and damage to the marine environment and wildlife as well following the litter pick.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways and the Environment, said: “This committed group has made a big difference to reducing marine litter at Prestatyn and its fantastic to see them tackle the beach area near the Rhyl Pavilion. We need to continually manage the risk of localised flooding from marine litter washing up on our beaches and reducing the defence against floods.”