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Abracadabra the wood is gone!
Released: 01 Apr 2008
With thanks to a great team of contractors, 77 days of hard toil, the 2,000 tons of wood washed up on Worthing 5 miles of beaches on Saturday January 19 has finally gone!Wood clearance contractors DRS, based in Cornwall, have worked around the clock to move the Ice Princes’ timber cargo off Worthing’s beach in a process which took several stages to complete.
Martin Quickfall, head of the clearance operation for DRS Contractors Ltd, said:
“We would like to thank the people of Worthing for their patience and for putting up with us. We have been welcomed in town and looked after really well.”
Town Mayor, Heather Mercer, said:
“The Town is delighted to have its beaches back. The contractors DRS, Jim Chubb, acting for the insurers and Faygate based, Homegrown Timber, have all been absolutely marvellous in their part of the clear-up. Although the wood has taken a little longer than originally anticipated to be removed it is great to see it finally go. Our thanks also go to the public affected by the operations – who have all been extremely understanding too.”
The clear up process entailed moving the timber from the waters edge to above the high tide mark, the beaches were subjected to a thorough sift followed by a handpick of the final wooden splinters. However beach users are encouraged to take care still just in case there are any splinters remaining. The clearance was paid for by the contractors and not the Council.
Worthing’s economy was boosted in what was normally a very quiet time of year according to the local food and drink venues. In fact says Town Centre Manager Sharon Clarke:
“Most West Sussex towns saw a 4% decline in footfall in January, whereas Worthing only saw a 2% decline due, in part, to people from afar coming to look at the wood phenomenon.”
During the early part of May the beaches between the Alinora Car Park launching boat Ramp and Windsor Road will be re-profiled for the holiday season ahead.
Photocall Opportunity
10am Friday 4 April 2008 on the beach between the Pier and the Lido with the Mayor of Worthing and contractors
The Mayor will exchange some ‘wood’ with the contractors and also present them with a memento of Worthing.
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