Concerns are growing after a sunken dredger on a canal resulted in an oil spill affecting wildlife on the banks of the water. The incident happened in Stonehouse and was reported to the Environment Agency last month however the spillage is still there floating on the canal water and a kingfisher has been found dead covered in oil.
Rozy Jarrett, 35, from Stonehouse says the dredger sank on December 3 and has seen the oil gradually affect more and more of the canal side as the weeks have rolled on. The incident is said to have been reported to the Environment Agency straight away by a member of the public who was concerned the oil spill had not been cleared up and the impact it may have on wildlife in the area.
The dredger sank in the canal under the Ocean Jubilee Rail bridge in Stonehouse. Rozy says an area near to where the dredger sank is a nature reserve, where swans nest, otters reside, as well as many different species of birds, including a heron and kingfishers.
Rozy said: “My partner and I walk up the canal and by the Ocean bridge about 6am everyday. The area under the bridge has been affected by an oil spill from a sunken barge dredging the water in December.
“The incident was reported to Environmental Health by a civilian on December 3 after it had been leaking for 24 hours. The mess was only attempted to be cleaned up by oil spill pads you get at a DIY shop.
“There is a residual iridescent sheen on the banks of the canal where the rainfall has tracked up the oil. The whole area is affected.
“One of the kingfishers on the bank has drowned as it was caught in the oil spilled from the tipped dredgers. We tried to get to it out but couldn’t reach it in time.
“It was one of a pair, and the other was calling out from the hedge near by. We went there this morning and its mate in circling the area, going in and out the hedge looking for its mate.
“This spill has been left like this for weeks, as anyone who walks the canal will know. If this has been dealt with, this kingfisher would still be alive.”
The dead kingfisher
(Image: Rozy Jarrett)
The Cotswold Canals Trust says it is working on a plan to recover the barge, a spokesman said: “The Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) is aware of the public’s concern regarding the impact on the wildlife and environment following the sinking of a vessel under the Ocean Jubilee Rail bridge in December.
“All interested parties responsible for maintaining and protecting our well-loved canal have been involved in safely managing this incident with the valuable assistance of other local agencies including Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Stroud Valleys Canal Company and Cotswold Canals Connected.
“The vessel is located in a difficult position, under an active railway bridge. Initial contact with Network Rail and our local Fire Service showed that they were unable to help with the recovery of the vessel.
“CCT volunteers are now working with the Stroud Valleys Canal Company, who own the vessel, and their insurance company, on a recovery plan. An independent investigation will be carried out by The Canal and River Trust into how the vessel sank and mitigation practices for the future.
“At the time of the incident, the Environmental Agency were alerted and a local environmental protection company Sanctus was engaged to assist with the containment of any oil spillage. This was achieved using booms and mopped up with professional spillage kits Cotswold Canals Trust has taken advice from the Environment Agency since the incident and have instigated ongoing measures to mitigate further environment impact.
The affected area
(Image: Rozy Jarrett)
“Volunteers and specialists have regularly reviewed and checked the vessel since the incident and can confirm the fuel and hydraulic oil systems appear to remain sealed. From December 7 (incident date) to December 24, daily inspections showed no visible evidence of oil on the spillage mats used or on the canal on either side of the protective boom barrier thus preventing spread beyond the immediate area.
“We believe the very recent heavy rain; snow melt and flooding has acted to disturb a small quantity of spilt oil possibly held in the vessel’s sump such that it was released around the sunken vessel in the past day or two.
“Volunteers continue to keep The Ocean site under careful inspection, and they again today have conducted a further clean up with new mats. Current booms will remain in place to contain any further unlikely spillage over the next week for added protection.
“We are also taking advice from local wildlife agencies regarding the possible installation of to implement a protective covering over the area to provide additional shielding, this needs to be the most effective option to reduce any further fatalities.
“The development of a detailed recovery plan is in progress to enable the recovery of the vessel in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner as soon as possible. CCT will be actively sharing these plans with the wider Stroud and Gloucestershire community as the progress of the recovery and final clean up proceeds.
“We really appreciate your patience and ongoing support of the Cotswold Canal Trust, if you have any further questions or concerns please do contact us on: mail@cotswoldcanals.org or the Stroud Valleys Canal Company on admin@stroudvalleyscanal.org”