Amongst the discarded rubbish can be seen large quantities of rusting scrap metal (above), a drum of highly toxic used heavy gear oil (right), dead lead acid batteries (below) and a rather derelict looking old caravan (apparently used as a workshop and store room).

This is clearly not good enough for an organisation that uses public money to maintain its property.

Perhaps the most obvious area of the site in need of improvement is the far end of the tramway used to take visitors into the copper mine. Here you will find all manner of discarded junk - not only an eyesore but a serious threat to the environment. Despite complaints from the public, requests from staff and a damming health and safety report, on a recent visit to Morwellham Quay there had been no significant improvement at this end of the site.

Equally environmentally unsound if less visible is the discharging of detergents directly into the River Tamar from the kitchens of the Ship Inn. This is clearly defined in law as Trade Effluent and as such it’s discharge untreated into the river appears to be contrary to the Control Of Polluction Act 1974, the Environment Act 1995, and the Water Act 2003.

Tamar Valley Heritage Group are currently in the process of collating information to determine whether a prosecution can be bought against the Morwellham and Tamar Valley Trust and/or it’s directors.