Warning zone expanded after toxic chemical disaster in Walsall Canal

Following the leak of toxic chemicals in Walsall, people are being urged to avoid a large area of ​​the sewer system.

The leak was discovered on Monday in the waterway in Pleck, according to the local council, which said the Environment Agency (EA) had been notified.

Direct physical contact with the water poses a potentially serious risk to the health of people or their pets, officials added.

On Tuesday afternoon, as a precautionary measure, the public was asked to avoid a large area of ​​the canal and towpaths between the lock staircase in Walsall and the lock staircases at Rushall/Ryders Green and Perry Barr (Birmingham).

When the spill was discovered on Monday, it had entered the canal stretch from Spinks Bridge in Walsall to Birchills Street Bridge, the council said.

The EA is in the process of setting up a sampling and testing programme, the local authority added, expressing hope to reduce the exclusion area as soon as possible.

A spokesman said anyone who was exposed to the water and felt unwell should seek medical advice via the NHS emergency number 111 or call 999 in an emergency.

People were also told not to eat fish caught from the canal.

Walsall City Council leader Gary Perry said there was a serious health risk and the cause of the spill was being investigated.

“It is a very current and ongoing investigation,” he said.

“Everything of this kind is serious – especially when the potential risk to the health and safety of animals and humans is always a cause for concern.”

He said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the oil spill.

Mr Perry urged people to avoid the canal towpath and not to allow animals or people to swim in the water.

The council said the drinking water would not be affected by the leak.

The EA said it was working with the authority and other organisations to respond while monitoring the impact on the local environment.

The West Midlands Fire Service said staff were also on site.

The authority is expected to provide a further update on the situation by Wednesday afternoon.