Update – Toxic chemical spillage – 5pm 13 August 2024

Agencies across the West Midland Local Resilience Forum are treating the chemical spillage into a canal in Walsall as a major incident, with a multi-agency response.

The spillage from a site in Walsall is being investigated. As it has gone into the canal in Walsall, as a precautionary measure, we are asking the public 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 (see map).

We can confirm the Environment Agency have developed a testing 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.

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

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

We have identified an area of canals to test and hope to be able to reduce the impacted area as soon as possible.

Councillor 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.”

Ends

Background notes to editors

Previous statements:

• 13/08 - 02:00: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/newsroom/toxic-chemical-spillage-12-august-2024
• 13/08 - 13:50 https://go.walsall.gov.uk/newsroom/update-toxic-chemical-spillage-13-august-2024

This is a multi-agency response including:

• Environment Agency
• UKHSA
• Walsall and Sandwell councils
• WM Police
• WM Fire
• WMAS
• Canal and River Trust
• Severn Trent Water  

For updates, please visit/follow Walsall Council and Sandwell Council newsroom and social media channels.