News

Neighbourhood Watch has issued the following warning:-

Trading Standards have asked that we make everyone aware of the following advice.

Anyone planning to use the timber washed ashore on Thanet's beaches last week (Thursday 22 January) is being warned that it is not suitable for building work.

The timber has already started to show up at building sites in the area, despite the public being advised not to take the wood away from the beaches.

People are being reminded that anyone who has recovered timber must report this to the Receiver of Wreck at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency within 28 days or they will be committing a criminal offence. Failure to report items to the Receiver of Wreck can result in a fine of up to £2,500.Report Forms can be downloaded from http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/emergencyresponse/mcga-receiverofwreck/mcga-howtoreportawreck/web
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Thanet District Council's Building Control team is now warning that the timber is not suitable for use in building work, such as extensions or loft and property conversations, as it has been floating in the sea for several days, since being lost from the cargo ship Sinegorsk.

The wood is also untreated and ungraded and, to satisfy Building Regulations, structural timber must stamped with a Grade Mark to show that the timber has been graded and is suitable for use in building construction work.

Grade marks show the strength and class of the timber, along with its condition, which indicates where it can be used for internal structural work on properties. If there is no grade mark, then the timber must not be used for structural purposes and, under no circumstances, should it be used for internal structural work.