Experts from the Environment Agency have been investigating the pollution incident that closed the Rochdale Canal for several weeks.
They have now discovered that a large quantity of pesticide was poured down a road drain on the Oldham Broadway Business Park in Chadderton. The road drains flow into the canal at The Causeway. The EA's Steve Walters said "We believe somebody may have come along and dumped the herbicide down the drain undetected."
An estimated 15,000 fish were killed and a quantity of rare plant life destroyed. The fish included roach, perch and pike. The canal was closed to boat traffic between Manchester and Chadderton in order not to spread the effects of the pollution.
The investigation is still ongoing and the EA has urged anyone with any information about this to contact them on 0800 80 70 60.
Saturday 23 August 2008
Monday 18 August 2008
Short Stoppage at Bingley Locks
A short emergency stoppage is required at Bingley 5-Rise Locks to replace the heel post of a lock gate.
The locks will close at 5.00 pm on Monday 18th August and re-open at 12.00 noon on Wednesday 20th August.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 0113 2816860.
The locks will close at 5.00 pm on Monday 18th August and re-open at 12.00 noon on Wednesday 20th August.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 0113 2816860.
Rochdale Canal Now Re-opened Following Pollution Incident
The Rochdale Canal is to re-open after being closed between Failsworth and Ancoats following a serious water pollution incident at the end of July.
The canal between Locks 64 and 83 will re-open at 8.30 am on 19th August.
This section of canal was closed in order to restrict the effects of the pollution while investigations by the Environment Agency and British Waterways took place. It was necessary to wait for the results and analysis of testing to ensure that secondary pollution would not occur from the re-opening of the canal.
Although the test results indicated that secondary pollution is unlikely to occur, because of the sensitive nature of the canal as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, British Waterways decided to conduct a trial re-introduction of boat traffic so that the effects could be monitored.
The "Rochdale Nine" locks through Manchester and the rest of the canal through Rochdale, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Sowerby Bridge have not been affected.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
The canal between Locks 64 and 83 will re-open at 8.30 am on 19th August.
This section of canal was closed in order to restrict the effects of the pollution while investigations by the Environment Agency and British Waterways took place. It was necessary to wait for the results and analysis of testing to ensure that secondary pollution would not occur from the re-opening of the canal.
Although the test results indicated that secondary pollution is unlikely to occur, because of the sensitive nature of the canal as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, British Waterways decided to conduct a trial re-introduction of boat traffic so that the effects could be monitored.
The "Rochdale Nine" locks through Manchester and the rest of the canal through Rochdale, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Sowerby Bridge have not been affected.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
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