Coastguard rescue bid after slip in standards

2:47pm Tuesday 1st May 2007

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Children's toys, white goods and building waste are just a few examples of the rubbish removed by coastguard teams from a steep cliff face in Milford Haven.

Mounds of rubbish have been piling up at the back of St Peter's Road as a result of fly-tipping for several months.

So Milford Haven's Environmental Action Team (MEAT) organised a community clear-up which resulted in two skips being filled to the brim.

Coastguard teams had to descend the cliff to retrieve rubbish that couldn't be reached by Pembrokeshire County Council refuse collectors.

MEAT member and Milford town councillor, Rhys Sinnett, said: "We were delighted the coastguard were able to help do it and were helping to support the community to clear this eyesore up.

"The coastguard teams had to work really hard all morning on a voluntary basis and we thank them enormously for what they have done."

Coastguard teams from Dale and Broad Haven were on site in Milford at 8am on Sunday, April 15th and didn't finish collecting rubbish until 1pm.

"It wasn't just a case of scaling the cliff but breaking branches as well, they had to physically work very hard," Cllr Sinnett added.

"Clearly, this is where people have been clearing out their houses and sheds and disposing all their building waste. It was astonishing to see what came up."

The clean-up was a joint effort between the coastguard, county council, Milford Haven Port Authority, MEAT and even Tesco, which provided drinks throughout the day.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: "There are a number of sites where householders can take their rubbish in the Milford area.

"There are bottle banks and paper banks at Spike's Lane in Hakin and at Manchester Square, off Robert Street in Milford Haven.

"Rubbish can also be taken to the Winsel Household Waste and Recycling Centre on the Tiers Cross Road between Milford Haven and Haverfordwest. There is only a charge for commercial and trade waste."