Second day of litter picking as more rubbish left on Sunderland seafront

Piles of black bin bags could be seen near Sunderland’s beaches this morning (April 1) as waste was collected from areas near the seafront for the second consecutive morning after visitors enjoyed another sunny day at the coast.

It comes after Seaburn residents were left shocked at the sight of overflowing bins and rubbish strewn across the promenade and the fields near the South Bents yesterday morning (March 31).

Lifelong Seaburn resident Michael Hartnack, who found used condoms and cannabis in the waste on Wednesday, had described the scene as “an absolute and utter tip” and said he “could’ve wept” as he saw the full extent of the litter when he went to clean up the mess with other residents.

The retired senior police officer said the situation on Thursday had improved, but there was still some rubbish left.

Mr Hartnack said: “Last night I went with black bin bags and gave them to the groups to clean up after themselves. Some of them did comply, but there was still some rubbish, which has been cleaned away this morning.

"It was a lot better than the night before, but of course it was colder last night than it was the day before.

"There was still some rubbish there, but it wasn’t as bad as the night before.”

The rubbish was dumped after higher temperatures coincided with newly relaxed lockdown rules, drawing visitors to the coast.

Sunderland swimming group Wild Sea Women also took part in a separate clean up operation yesterday morning (March 31) after they spotted the rubbish strewn across the promenade when they arrived for their early dip in the sea.

Group member Jane Peverley, 50, who helped with the clean up has said it took the women 45 minutes to collect the litter.

Jane said: “It’s very disappointing. We have such a wonderful coastline and we really are very lucky to have such a lovely place for everyone to enjoy.

"Just that in one day so many people would leave so much rubbish behind is a real shock.”

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