Keep away from Walsall Canal

THE Environment Agency has warned people to keep away from the Walsall Canal and its towpath.

This is because 'eniroxic' chemicals have leaked into the waterway, Keith Gudgin reports.

Hazardous chemicals

Today, Tuesday, hazardous chemicals are reported to have spilled into the waterway with people being warned that anyone who comes into contact with the contaminated water faces a ‘potential serious risk’ to their health, and pet owners have been warned that the risk also extends to dogs and other animals.

This spill has triggered a multi-agency response as environmental workers try to limit the contamination to the waterway, though it is being carried by the flow of the canal so is of course spreading, so boats should take the warnings very seriously and keep away as the chemical could be carried by its contact with the hulls of boats.

At first it was limited between Spinks Bridge and Birchills Street Bridge but it is of course spreading.

Eight organizations

It is so serious that a total of eight organisations are working in relation to the toxic spill, we are told, including the Environment Agency and the UK Health Security Agency.

The source and scale of the chemical spill has also not been identified.