Oil slick off coast is monitored

POLLUTION at Tregonhawke beach, in Cornwall, is still being monitored following an oil spill over two weeks ago.

An updated investigation from the Tamar Coastguard team shows the oil spill still floating atop the waves just offshore.

Beachgoers were warned not to go into the water at Tregonhawke beach, at Whitsand Bay, following a pollution incident on October 22. Lifeguards said at the time: “There is an oil slick of Tregonhawke beach. The beach will remain red flagged until further notice; all relevant authorities have been contacted and are aware of the situation. Please do not enter the water and take care on the beach.”

The situation remains monitored, and the Tamar Coastguard Rescue Team said the patch of pollution is being affected by recent batches of bad weather. In an update on Facebook, the team told beachgoers to ‘keep an eye out for any warnings of Whitsand Bay beaches’.

This comes as bad weather has affected beaches across Cornwall, including creating a sewage smell at St Agnes.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said it was continuing to monitor the situation through regular surveillance flights and coastal patrols.