'Serious pollution threat' to River Avon in Stratford
THERE is ‘serious, significant and ongoing pollution in the River Avon’ following an oil-type spill which, it is feared, could endanger wildlife, dogs and even humans.
The spill is flowing into the Avon downriver from Lucy’s Mill and not far from Luddington in an area known as Racecourse Brook, but its source may be in Masons Road in Stratford.
Dismayed residents have this week voiced their anger over the lack of transparency which they claim is surrounding official investigations into the pollution by the Environment Agency and Severn Trent. Residents also want to know what’s being done to tackle the problem.
Stratford swan warden, Cyril Bennis, told the Herald: “This a serious and significant incident of pollution which has not been resolved – it’s ongoing. Severn Trent have washed their hands of the problem and say it’s being dealt with by the Environment Agency, but they are refusing to communicate with me and all the while we still have a problem on the river, so I’m very concerned about the wildlife. I’ve tried to arrange meetings with officers from the Environment Agency but they won’t discuss it with me – there’s no transparency over this. We need to know who’s caused this pollution and what will be done. Will they be brought to task and held responsible?”
Mr Bennis said he had witnessed the damage first-hand and monitored the pollution since last Saturday, but was worried the spill could have been flowing into the river longer than that – something a Severn Trent spokesperson confirmed yesterday (Wednesday).
“We received reports of a pollution on the River Avon on 15th August and our teams quickly started to investigate the cause and worked hard to stop the watercourse from being polluted further,” they said. “Following the investigation it was confirmed to be a third -party chemical-fuel pollution, which has been reported to the Environment Agency.”
Stratford resident, Ed Wall, who is a paddle-boarder, has visited the source of the spill near Racecourse Brook and said he was shocked to the see the extent of the damage.
He added: “If dogs jump in the river in this area and swim they could become very ill or die. I know there are people who like to swim in the river, but this could harm them too. My worry is it will decimate wildlife.”
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “Our officers are working with Severn Trent Water to locate the source of this pollution which is affecting Masons Road, Stratford. We have placed booms in the Racecourse Brook to contain and reduce the impact of the oil. We are visiting local businesses and properties to check drains and to identify the source of the pollution. If local people have environmental concerns they should call our 24/7 hotline 0800 807060.”
Meanwhile, a pollution problem on the River Dene in Wellesbourne has been ongoing for a month although recently the Environment Agency took action to combat the spill.
Resident Peter Vale-Humphreys said: “The Environment Agency must have thought my idea of a mini boom at the seeping point in the Dene was a good one as they’ve put one in. It is holding some of the spillage as a film on top of water is visible. There is however some escaping and polluting the Dene and the strong smell persists.”
