Mystery petrol smell discovered at south Warwickshire river
MYSTERY surrounds a strange ‘pollution spill’ in Wellesbourne on the River Dene which makes a pleasant stroll in the fields smell more like a walk round a “petrol forecourt”.
Walkers and dog owners are now on alert and keeping a close eye on their pets to make they don’t jump into the river at a place known as White Bridge, about 100 metres from Bridge Street, Wellesbourne.
Peter Neville and his wife Sue walk this stretch of the river most days from St Peter’s Church to the White Bridge in Oak Tree Field. They spotted the pollution over a week ago.
On Tuesday (16th August)Peter confirmed the spill was still in full flow.
He told the Herald: “It’s as bad as it’s ever been and going on for over ten days now. It’s like a peculiar film and when you stand at the bridge it smells like a petrol forecourt.
“My wife and I walk the village every day as part of our daily fitness routine. We almost always walk across the Dene over the White Bridge just down from St Peter’s Church.
“We first noticed a strong smell as we approached the bridge on Sunday, 7th August, and then saw what appeared to be petrol, oil or diesel on the surface of the river. We re-crossed the bridge 10 or 15 minutes later and two gentlemen from Severn Trent were taking samples. They explained, however, they could only test for sewage pollution which this evidently was not.”
The couple are not the only residents concerned by the sudden appearance of film on the water as others have posted concerns on social media with one commenting: “For a few days we’ve noticed the fuel fumes and visible traces in the water under the bridge. We have reported it to the Environment Agency but nothing appears to have been done. It might be helpful if others also report it. Concerns include wellbeing of dogs in the river, any fish or other wildlife using it.”
Peter photographed the spill and it appears to show an oil-like fluid with a purple and blue tinge often observed with oil or fuel spillages.
Peter said the implications caused by its continued presence should not be overlooked.
“The pollution has been constant all week so I rang the Environment Agency incident hotline to report the issue as I’m fearful of the impact on the Avon downstream where the Dene joins the Avon at Charlecote. It’s also worth noting that a lot of money is being spent on a fish pass over the weir about 500 yards downstream from the White Bridge and if it’s worth spending hundreds of thousands of pounds there, then this pollution should be a reasonable priority,” Peter said.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We are aware of a pollution incident at the River Dene in Wellesbourne. Our officers are investigating the situation. We are asking all local residents to keep pets out of the water.
“If people have environmental concerns they should call our hotline on 0800 807060.”
