Community pulls together to clear up 'litter and detritus' after Storm Dennis

The community of Duffryn is pulling together to clear up “huge amounts of plastic and rubbish”  left behind in the wake of Storm Dennis.

Duffryn residents living along the River Ebbw have been faced with mounting waste and detritus washing up in their community since last week’s storms.

“The area has been completely decimated,” said Nick Carter, organiser of local litter picking group Duffryn Dusters.

The area along the River Ebbw is part of the Wales Coastal Path and is a popular walking spot.

“Usually this is a tranquil floodplain. School children use it as a safe route to school,” said Mr Carter.

Yet in spite of this, the area has been prone to littering issues in the past, with discarded waste finding its way into the local reens and streams.

Now, in the wake of the flooding caused by Storm Dennis , this waste has made its way onto the land along the coastal path.

“A huge amount of litter and detritus has been washed up onto the floodplain,” said Mr Carter.

Explaining where the waste comes from, Mr Carter adds: “It's litter and detritus that washes into the river and streams.”

Rubbish strewn across green space along the Wales Coastal Path in Newport (Steve Preddy)

This litter is an issue groups like Duffryn Dusters have been tackling over the past year, working closely with Newport City Council and Natural Resources Wales to keep the area clean.

However, the damage caused by the recent flooding has made this difficult, not just due to the fact that it has caused rubbish from rivers to wash up elsewhere, but also because the damage caused to trees and land has made physically dealing with the issue more challenging.

“The land has been flattened and the area strewn with broken trees, wood and litter,” said Mr Carter. “Broken trees have been moved hundreds of metres, trapping litter and detritus.”

Now, the community wants to tackle the issue before it causes any further damage.

“Longer term, the trees will provide new habitats for wildlife,” explains Mr Carter. “However, the litter will remain unless action is taken.”

Litter left along the banks of the River Ebbw in the aftermath of Storm Dennis (Steve Preddy)

With support from local Assembly Member, Jayne Bryant, Duffryn Dusters and other community groups will be out this weekend clearing waste left in the area.

“We’re looking to clear up after the flooding and the storms,” said Ms Bryant. “We want to encourage as many people as we can to come along.”

Ms Bryant adds: “Duffryn Dusters and other groups are doing a great job. There’s a great community spirit there.”