Volunteer group to clean Jurassic Coast beaches after Durdle Door is dubbed ‘Durdle Dump’

Credit: Oly Rush

 

Volunteer group ‘Clean Jurassic Coast’ is set to begin a beach cleaning marathon, consisting of seven beaches over seven days.

 

Posts of Durdle Door have flooded people’s social media in the last few weeks.  Unfortunately, these are not the usual attractive posts about this iconic beauty spot, but photos of mountains of discarded rubbish.

 

Starting from the week of 20 July, the seven day beach clean will start across the Jurassic Coast including Chesil Beach, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and Old Harry Rocks.

 

Clean Jurassic Coast is a volunteer network who unite all Jurassic Coast beach cleaners and litter pickers in one place. With the motto ‘strength in numbers’, their mission is to keep the 95 miles of the Jurassic Coast litter free.

 

Clean Jurassic Coast said:

 

“It is so upsetting to witness such breathtaking landmarks, disrespected, exploited and abused by people who have used the pandemic as an opportunity to come on holiday and destroy the coastline.

 

“But this is one landmark across the Jurassic Coast that is suffering. There are countless beautiful beaches and sites that have been mistreated for decades by selfish, greedy people who simply cannot put their rubbish in a bin.”

 

 

The most common items littered on beaches include “tampons, sanitary towels, human excrement, wee in bottles, tents, chairs, cigarette ends, bottle tops, broken glass, pants, socks, sandals” says Clean Jurassic Coast.

 

Rhea Soulsby-Phillips, the organiser of the seven beach cleans, said: “I cleaned this beach once. And I was emotionally and physically destroyed. There are lots of incredible organisations, charities and volunteer networks who pick up other people’s litter every day!”

 

The coronavirus pandemic has led to huge demand for personal protective equipment (PPE).  Rhea and her husband, Dave, are appealing for support on this fundraiser to continue buying PPE and cleaning the beaches.