Warning not to swim on West Hove beach after oil leak found

The public have been advised not to swim off West Hove beach while an oil leak at Shoreham Port is investigated.

The port discovered the leak after residents complained of an oily smell at low tide, and occasional globules of oil were found on the beach following last winter’s storms.

Councillor Graham Cox took up their concerns with the managers of the port, who took apart and rebuilt the outer end of an entire rock groyne to identify the leak.

It was eventually found opposite Gate 1, behind the east end of the tall concrete wall – which they believe is almost certainly from the old Victorian coal gas works.

The port, along with the Environment Agency, Public Health England and Brighton and Hove City Council’s environmental protection team are investigating whether the oil presents a risk to the public.

In the meantime, the port advises people not to swim in the water there and warning signs have gone up.

Another investigation to pinpoint the source of the leak and find ways of stopping it is under way.

A spokesman for the port said: “We believe the source of the oil is almost certainly tanks or other structures from the old Victorian coal gas works that used to occupy that part of the port to landward of the beach and we have appointed specialist environmental consultants to determine the best way to prevent further oil seeping out.

“We are afraid that, considering the vast size of the old gas works – about 35 acres – and the fact that it was operational for about 120 years up until the early 1970s, this is likely to take some months rather than weeks.

“During the storms last winter, as I’m sure you will appreciate, beach levels along the whole of the south east coast were lowered considerably and we believe this is probably why the issue has arisen at this time.  The strata along which the oil seeps – a clay layer just below the mudstone – has been exposed for the first time ever.

“We can be confident of that because the clay is very soft and would be rapidly eroded away if it were exposed for more than a short period.  Were beach levels to recover, as they are wont to do, then the smell and pollution issues would be alleviated naturally.”

Councillor Cox said: “Shoreham Port is thriving as the economy recovers and in no small part this is down to the professional leadership provided by the chief executive and Harbour Board.

“They are on the case over this matter – and if anyone has any other concerns or questions I will pass them on.”

The beach, also known as Southwick Beach, is an unofficial nudist beach.