25/01/2005 - Up to 10,000
litres of red diesel has leaked into a tributary
of the River Ray, in Swindon, polluting at
least a two-mile stretch of the river.
Officers from the Environment Agency were
called to an area near the Westlea Industrial
Estate on 23 January 23 at 9.24am after several
members of the public reported seeing a large
quantity of oil coating the surface of the
water.
An investigation and clean-up operation was
launched and officers from the Environment
Agency stretched a number of booms across
the river to contain the oil and prevent it
from travelling further downstream, affecting
a wider area. Absorbent pads were initially
used to try and soak up some of the oil and
contractors are now on site recovering the
oil from the river with a tanker.
Officers from the Environment Agency, assisted
by Thames Water, are currently investigating
the cause of the pollution, the source of
which is a local industrial estate. No more
oil is entering the watercourse.
The Environment Agency is working with Wiltshire
Wildlife Trust to assess the environmental
impact although at this stage wildlife does
not appear to be significantly affected.
Lee Horrocks, environment officer, said:
“After being alerted to this incident by members
of the public who contacted our emergency
hotline, we were quickly at the scene and
involved in the clean up to minimise the potential
impact of the pollution. Thankfully despite
the quantity of oil that may have entered
the watercourse, the impact on fish and wildlife
appears at this stage to be minimal. Our investigations
into the cause of this incident are continuing.”
Members of the public can report pollution
incidents by calling the Environment Agency’s
emergency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
