Wyrley and Essington Canal recovery

THE massive contamination of the Wyrley and Essington Canal and Old Main Line is showing sign of recovery in the fight to  contain pollution.

It was the fire at factories by the waterways, started by arsonists, that caused a massive amount of chemicals to be released into the water that caused the death of thousands of fish, and the level to be lowered as fresh water was run through.

22,000 fish rescued

The combined efforts of the Environment Agency and British Waterways have rescued an estimated 22,000 fish from the contaminated canals as its water is being pumped to Minworth Sewage Treatment Works and chemicals are being added to re-oxygenate the water.

Deep draughted boats

With the lowered levels, deep draughted boats are still being advised to steer clear of the area, though others are getting through with little problem.

Sections of waterway affected are the  Old Main Line canal, between Wolverhampton and Short Heath, and the Wyrley & Essington Canal, which runs for almost 16 miles from Wolverhampton to Brownhills.