“Warning to keep your distance”: Toxic chemical disaster from Walsall spreads to Birmingham and West Bromwich

A toxic chemical spill into a canal in Walsall has now spread across the West Midlands, affecting areas in Birmingham and West Bromwich, prompting people to be warned to stay away. The spill occurred on Monday (12 August) in the Pleck area of ​​Walsall on a section of the canal between Spinks Bridge and Birchills Street Bridge.

But the area affected by the oil spill is now much larger, and is believed to have affected the canal network from the lock staircase in Walsall to the lock staircases at Perry Barr in Birmingham, Ryders Green in West Bromwich and the lock staircase at Rushall in Walsall.

There is a “potentially serious health risk” to people or pets who come into contact with the chemical in the water through “direct physical contact”. The public is urged to stay away from the extended area of ​​the canal network and its towpaths.

Read more: Warning to city: “Toxic chemicals” enter sewer and endanger people and dogs

Walsall Council is leading the response and has issued the warning. Initially, it said: “Access to the canal area in the immediate area will be closed and the affected section of the canal has been cordoned off to reduce damage to wildlife and the wider waterway.”

“If you have taken fish from the canal, please do not eat them. If you have any concerns about the disposal of animals or fish, please call the Environment Agency's 24-hour helpline on 0800 807060. Drinking water will not be affected by this incident.” But now the area is much larger.

A spokesman for the agency said: “We were notified by the Environment Agency on 12 August of a toxic chemical spill in Pleck, Walsall. The spill has entered the canal in Walsall and as a precautionary measure we are asking the public to avoid an extended area of ​​the canal and towpaths from the lock staircase in Walsall to the lock staircases at Rushall/Ryders Green and Perry Barr (see map).

“The Environment Agency is setting up a sampling and testing programme and we hope to reduce the affected area as quickly as possible. There is a potentially serious health risk if you or your pets are directly exposed to the affected section of canal (direct physical contact with the water).

“Anyone who has been exposed (direct physical contact) along the affected stretch of canal water and feels unwell should seek emergency medical advice by calling 111 or 999.”

Walsall Council has said it is working with a number of agencies, including neighbouring Sandwell Council, including the Environment Agency, UUK Health and Safety Executive, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Canal and Rivers Trust and Severn Trent Water.