Fuel leaks into the River Kennet adding to the pollution

Is there no end to the River Kennet’s woes? Floods, sewage and now a fuel leak are adding to the pollution in the river, all of which will have a devastating effect on wildlife and the river environment. Yesterday a volunteer from ARK (Action for the River Kennet) spotted the fuel pollution and reported it to the Environment Agency(EA) who came out to investigate. The leak was traced to Bridge Garage on London Road and the EA placed booms into the garage’s drainage system to soak up the leak and prevent further leakage into the river. Unfortunately these measures were not successful.

Anna Forbes, Senior Project Officer and volunteer Co-ordinator at ARK, told Marlborough.news, “We’re very glad that the Environment Agency visited yesterday to assess the situation but unfortunately the booms they installed are too small and the fuel is still leaking into the river. Sadly, this will have an impact on the wildlife, particularly birds and mammals that rely on a healthy river and will have encountered fuel contamination to their feathers and fur and when preening will ingest the toxicity. On top of the recent sewage pollution this really is devastating to see.”

Today, the Motor Fuel Group associated with Bridge Garage, have brought in environment contractors to investigate where the leak is coming from. Let’s hope it is discovered and dealt with very soon.

Meanwhile, despite numerous phone-calls and a letter from Danny Kruger MP, ARK are still waiting for Thames Water to carry out a clean-up of the sewage in Stonebridge, left from the floods on January 5. Anna Forbes commented, “There is still a significant amount of sewage sitting on the beach area at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve. This is a well-used public spot put in by ARK to create public access to the river. I am frustrated and disappointed with Thames Water.”

The public are warned not to use the beach area until the clean-up has taken place. Anna also urges everyone to store the number of the Environment Agency pollution hotline in their phone and to be vigilant. The sooner any pollution is reported, the sooner it is dealt with. The number is 0800 807060.