Eleni V Oil update

Way back in January storms revealed some of the buried remains of the Eleni V disaster.

East Suffolk Council have commissioned specialists to properly investigate how much oil remains and and to provide evidence for next steps.

Councillor James Mallinder, cabinet member for the Environment added: “Any excavations at the site may affect the rate of coastal erosion, and the surrounding environment, and so any decision about removing the deposits will be carefully considered.”

The shore is continually changing. Sometimes a huge bank appears, curving away from the sea wall north of the car park. But generally, the sea has re-built the beach, whilst still eating away at the grassy area. Most of the oil deposits have been therefore covered up.

East Suffolk say “Earlier this year, large outcrops of oil were exposed following a spate of high tides and some of the loose drier material was removed by East Suffolk Norse, working with a specialist disposal company. During the summer, the beach has built up, re-covering the previously exposed material. Any freshly exposed material will be dealt with in a similar manner.”

Way back in 2014, Great Yarmouth Borough Council commissioned a report from 'specialist contractors' on pollution from oil along the coast down to Lowestoft. The investigation was reported as under way by the EDP.

Anyone Lowestoft Old & Now has not been able to track down the results of the investigation – requests by us and others to GYBC have been met with silence.

East Suffolk Council say “If you are concerned by any exposed material, please call 03330 162000.”