Ship's timber 'on building sites'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/7851646.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Timber washed up on east Kent beaches has been found on building sites even though the wood is not suitable for construction, Thanet council has said.

The authority warned people hoping to use the sawn wood for loft conversions and other work that structural timber needed to satisfy building regulations.

The timber washed ashore on Thursday after the Russian-registered Sinegorsk shed its load off Sussex last Monday.Contractors have been hired to clear up wood on behalf of the ship's owners.

Timber 'unsafe'

Councillor Roger Latchford said: "Sadly, there have already been a number of incidences in Thanet where attempts have been made to use the recovered timber in building work.

"Put simply, it's not safe to use for this work, as it has no grade marks on it and has been in the sea for several days."

He added: "We're urging all property owners to be alert to the potential use of the recovered timber in building work and we're also warning everyone that it's simply not safe to use it in this way."

People have been collecting the sawn planks from Ramsgate beachMr Latchford said people needed to remember the timber had an owner, and anyone who recovered wood from the beaches had to report it to the Receiver of Wreck within 28 days.

He said anyone who failed to report salvaging wood would be committing a criminal offence.

Thanet council said the sawn wood planks from the sea would be untreated and ungraded.

Under building regulations, structural timber must be stamped with a grade mark to show it is suitable for use in construction.

The grade marks show the strength and class of the wood, along with its condition, indicating where it can be used on properties.

The Sinegorsk shed its 1,500-tonne load in rough seas in a major shipping lane, 14 miles off Newhaven.

The vessel sailed on to Southampton to allow damage to be assessed and the remaining cargo to be secured.