Major incident declared over Walsall canal toxic chemical spill

BBC A police officer ties a line of police tape along the edge of the canal in Walsall — People are being urged to avoid the canal and towpaths between Walsall and Birmingham

A major incident has been declared after a toxic chemical spill in a canal in Walsall.

Members of the public have been warned to avoid a 12 mile stretch of the canal and towpaths from the Walsall lock flight to the lock flights at Rushall/Ryders Green and Perry Barr.

Walsall Council leader Garry Perry confirmed that sodium cyanide had been spilled into the water.

He said: “We understand your alarm, of course we want to do all we can to take the right precautionary measures to protect individuals.”

There was a potentially serious risk to people or their pets’ health if they were exposed through direct physical contact with the water, council officials said.

Sodium cyanide dissolves in water and can have serious adverse health effects for those who come into direct physical contact with it, stressed the council.

Anyone exposed to the water who felt unwell should seek medical advice through the NHS 111 service, or phone 999 in an emergency, a Walsall Council spokesperson said.

Walsall Council leader Garry Perry said he understood people would be alarmed by the spill

A man with a beard and glasses, wearing a blue shirt looks at the camera. Behind him is a canal bridge and a policeman standing next to a cordon — Walsall Council leader Garry Perry said he understood people would be alarmed by the spill

When the spill was discovered on Monday, it had gone directly into the stretch of canal from Spinks Bridge, Walsall, down to Birchills Street Bridge.

Mr Perry said there would be an ongoing investigation into the spill, with regular updates through the day each day as more information became available.

Water testing would take place, he said, adding that there were lots of partner agencies involved in the major incident response.

Precautionary measures would be reduced as soon as the impact was clearer, and it was known what needed to be done to make the canal and surrounding towpaths safe, the leader added.

There are a number of dead fish in the canal

Dead fish on the surface of the water — There are a number of dead fish in the canal

Dozens of dead fish can be seen in part of the canal.

“I think [the chemical spill] is disgusting, there ought to be big fines,” said one resident, who added he wanted to see those responsible pay for the damage to the environment.