Final stretch of Walsall canal set to reopen nearly a year after 'devastating' chemical spill

The chemical spillage, which was caused by metal finishing company Anochrome Ltd, caused up to 4,000 litres of highly toxic zinc cyanide solution to enter the canal at Pleck, which affected local wildlife. 

To contain the pollution, a 12-mile stretch of the canal was initially closed to the public and boaters while the area around the canal was cleaned up.

Teams from the Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency, Walsall and Sandwell Councils, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), emergency services, Severn Trent Water and contractors working on behalf of the polluter, worked to limit the spread of the spill and protect the canal's ecosystem. 

The canal closure was quickly reduced to a one mile stretch from Pleck to Walsall Top Lock at Birchills and the towpath was reopened several weeks later when chemical levels were at a consistently safe level.

The canal has been dredged to remove cyanide-contaminated silt, while approximately 526 tonnes of silt have been removed and safely disposed.

Henriette Breukelaar, director for the West Midlands at Canal & River Trust, said: “After many months of closure, I am delighted to reopen the Walsall Canal to our boating community.

"It has taken significant time and resources to remove the toxins, and I thank boaters for their patience during the cleanup.

“This incident has had a lasting impact on the canal's ecology, but our team acted swiftly to contain the pollution and prevent further damage to wildlife.

"The cleanup has so far cost our charity hundreds of thousands of pounds of funds that would have been used to repair our canals and we will seek to reclaim this money from the polluting company and invest it in caring for the canals in the West Midlands.

“We will continue to closely monitor the canal to ensure no further harm comes to wildlife.

"The extraordinary scale and nature of this pollution incident means we can’t be certain how long it will take for fish and other wildlife to fully recover.

"We will therefore continue to closely monitor the canal to make sure we remain on track to see this beautiful and much-loved stretch of canal make a full recovery for boaters and local communities to fully enjoy.”

Councillor Adrian Andrew, associate Leader at Walsall Council, said: “A lot of work has gone into getting us to the position to reopen the canal.

“Amid a devastating chemical spill, the partners who have been involved throughout stepped up to keep the public safe and to minimise the long-term impacts.

“Despite the situation, this reopening is something to be celebrated. I know our canals are important to many people, and it is a great relief they can now be enjoyed once more.”

A spokesman for Anochrome Ltd said: “We are delighted to have received news the canal will fully reopen this week.

"We continue to offer our sincere apologises for the incident and the subsequent disruption.

"Since the incident, we have worked extremely closely with the Canal & River Trust and all regulatory bodies involved, including the Environment Agency, and thank all parties for their support.

"We have covered costs for remedial work on the canal throughout the entire process, as well as meeting other associated expenses."