Final stretch of Walsall canal set to reopen nearly a year after 'devastating' chemical spill

The Canal & River Trust is ready to celebrate the reopening of the Walsall Canal to boats on Thursday after a serious pollution incident forced its closure in August last year.

The chemical spillage, which was caused by metal finishing company Anochrome Ltd, caused up to 4,000 litres of highly toxic zinc cyanide solution to enter the canal at Pleck, which affected local wildlife. 

To contain the pollution, a 12-mile stretch of the canal was initially closed to the public and boaters while the area around the canal was cleaned up.

Teams from the Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency, Walsall and Sandwell Councils, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), emergency services, Severn Trent Water and contractors working on behalf of the polluter, worked to limit the spread of the spill and protect the canal's ecosystem. 

The canal closure was quickly reduced to a one mile stretch from Pleck to Walsall Top Lock at Birchills and the towpath was reopened several weeks later when chemical levels were at a consistently safe level.

The canal has been dredged to remove cyanide-contaminated silt, while approximately 526 tonnes of silt have been removed and safely disposed.