Telford canal stretch cordoned off after pollution from sewage
A stretch of canal in Telford has been cordoned off after becoming contaminated with sewage.
Evidence of pollution has been discovered in the Old Canal in Coalport. Investigations have been taking place at the site since the end of last week and plans are being drawn up to clean the water.
The area has been taped off to prevent anyone walking alongside the canal and signs put in place informing visitors that the water is contaminated.
Residents living near the canal have said they believe the pollution has been caused by water from a sewage pipe.
Emily Taylor, a spokeswoman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "Telford & Wrekin Council's environmental health service has been on site with our partners Severn Trent Water, the Environment Agency and the owners of the site to undertake tests and to assist in identifying the possible causes of the pollution at the Old Canal near Coalport.
"We are now in discussions with our partners to identify what remediation works are required. Once suitable measures have been identified we will ensure appropriate action is taken."
As tests are still ongoing, the council said it is unable to say what the pollution is.
Severn Trent Water said that its pipes are not responsible for the pollution, but the company is helping to solve the ongoing problem.
A spokesman for the water company said: "We've carried out a thorough investigation on the Old Canal near Coalport, Telford, and can confirm that we aren't responsible for the minor pollution.
"However, the local environment is really important to the company, that's why it's working closely with the local council and the Environment Agency to help solve the issue and get everything back to normal as quickly as possible."
An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: "Our officers are working closely with Telford and Wrekin Council, Severn Trent and the site owners to identify the cause and agree what remediation works are required."
The small stretch of canal runs from the Hay Inclined Plane, past the Tar Tunnels and Coalport China Museum, and was originally connected to the Shropshire Canal.
The once busy canal fell into disrepair and was in filled in the 1920s but was restored in the 1970s and 1990s.
