Liberal Democrat MP, Bobby Dean, has warned of an “environmental disaster” after around 4,000 litres of diesel leaked into the River Wandle from a bus depot storage tank in Thornton Heath, Croydon.
The Wandle is just one of 220 precious chalk streams worldwide, and runs for nine miles from Croydon, through Sutton, Merton, Wimbledon and Wandsworth, where it finally reaches the River Thames.
The spillage entered the river and surface water drains and has now spread along the chalk stream, impacting wildlife and water quality from Wallington to Wandsworth. Birds have been seen coated in oil, struggling to clean themselves and survive in the contaminated water.
Emergency teams from the Environment Agency are working to contain the pollution, but concerns remain over the extent of the damage.
Bobby Dean MP (Liberal Democrat, Carshalton and Wallington) has been a long-time campaigner for the Wandle and produced a documentary film about the health of the river last year. He said:
“The community has been working so hard over the years to clean up the River Wandle and so it’s devastating to see it hit by such a major pollution incident.
“Wildlife is already suffering and who knows what damage it will be doing to the fragile eco-system along the waterway.
“This should never have happened and those responsible must be held to account. I am engaged with the Environment Agency and demanding urgent answers on how this occurred, a clear plan to clean this up and to make sure this never happens again.”
