Only part of Walsall Canal now affected by chemical spill

 FOUR canals were affected by the cyanide spill in the Walsall Canal.

But the Environment Agency tell that at present only part of the Walsall Canal is affected and closed, the rest falling within Public Health guidelines. Janet Friend reports.

Just under a mile of the Walsall is closed, but expected to be re-opened shortly, should its testing be clear.

Marc Liddert, Environment Agency Area Director for the West Midlands explained:

"The impact on the local community here has obviously been very disruptive. We have seen a large amount of the canal network in this area and beyond closed off. That has been done for public health reasons and obviously for the safety of the public.

What is really good news from today (Sunday) is that large amounts of that canal network have now reopened therefore the public can now gain access.

However, we still have about a kilometre stretch of the canal network here that is still closed because we have identified through the environment agency sampling and testing that there are chemicals within that stretch. Therefore, that part of the canal network will remain closed for the time being."