BOATERS will have to wait until they can navigate the section of the Walsall Canal closed following a toxic chemical spillage last year.
Although the towpath has reopened alongside the affected section, boaters are still prohibited from using north of Ocker Hill to Wyrley and Essington Canal. There is no date for it to reopen.
A nearby company, Anochrome, was responsible for the spillage of 4000 litres of sodium cyanide into the water in August. The spillage affected wildlife and fish in the waterway, which will take years to return to normal.
The Environment Agency is investigating the incident and was asked for the latest update on the investigation but failed to reply by the time we went to press.
A statement from Walsall Council said: “The priority continues to be the safety of residents and canal users and some restrictions around the canal remain in place.
“Regular lab testing by the Environment Agency has shown that pollution levels within the canal water have dropped to an acceptable level. However, the public should continue to avoid any contact with the water. Pets should be kept out of the water and all fishing activity, including magnet fishing, should not take place as this may disturb sediment in the canal which is likely to still be contaminated.
“Navigation along the canal will, for the foreseeable future, remain closed. Again, this is to avoid disturbing silt on the bed of the canal.”
Henriette Breukelaar, regional director at the Canal & River Trust, said: “The Canal & River Trust, which manages the waterway, started a Crowdfunder campaign to help the clean-up and future restoration of the canal. Currently, it sits at £24,000.“We’d like to thank partners and the wider public for their support following this upsetting pollution event. The work to restore the canal back to its former glory will continue.
“We need to ensure any contamination in the silt on the canal bed is resolved before navigation can be resumed and the biodiversity and wildlife can be restored. This is all part of the long road of recovery as we look to reinstate this magnificent linear park for both people and nature.”
