Toxic chemical spillage declared major incident

A toxic chemical spillage in Walsall has been declared a major incident by agencies across the West Midland Local Resilience Forum.

The spillage which was found on Monday (August 12) has gone directly into a stretch of the canal from Spinks Bridge, Walsall down to Birchills Street Bridge.

It’s now being tackled with a multi-agency response and the Environmental Agency is using a regime to test the water for sodium cyanide and other chemicals.

Sodium Cyanide dissolves in water and can have serious adverse health effects for those who come into direct physical contact with it.

As the spillage has gone into the canal in Pleck, Walsall, as a precautionary measure the public has been asked to avoid an extended area of the canal and towpaths from the Walsall lock flight to the lock flights at Rushall/Ryders Green and Perry Barr.

There is a potentially serious risk to health if people or pets are exposed (direct physical contact with the water) in the affected stretch of the canal.

Anyone who has been exposed (direct physical contact with the water) along the affected stretch of canal water and is feeling unwell, has been advised to seek health advice via 111 or 999 in an emergency.

Cllr Garry Perry, Leader of Walsall Council, said, “Our priority is the safety of our residents. I share their concerns and hope to see this incident resolved as soon as possible.

“We are working closely with our partners to manage this situation which has been declared a major incident. For your own safety please avoid this area of the canal and its towpaths.”