25/01/2006 - A clean-up operation is underway at Highbridge following an oil spillage that has left a stretch of the River Brue polluted. Environment Agency officers are using large anti-pollution booms to recover the oil that leaked from premises in Bason Bridge.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public at 11.30am yesterday (Tuesday, 24 January, 2006) after he spotted the oil on the surface of the water between Bason Bridge and Highbridge – a distance of three kilometres.

Environment Agency staff managed to isolate the spillage and will continue to monitor the river to assess the impact of the spill. The river level had to be raised to float both booms and aid controlling the pollution at Bason Bridge. It is possible to continue these water levels without any flood risk.

As soon as there is any risk of possible flooding due to increased rainfall, Environment Officers will respond promptly to restore winter levels by opening the sluice gates.

Early reports indicate that an estimated 100 gallons of waste oil escaped from a storage tank and although a great deal remained contained within the site, some leaked into nearby drains and out to the river.

“Once notified, we were able to respond rapidly to this incident and have deployed two large booms across the river. Waste oil is still being discharged from drains today and we are taking steps to contain it at Bason Bridge,” said Brian Payne for the Environment Agency.

“At this stage we do not believe it has had a significant impact on the river and wildlife. This type of surface pollution often looks worse than it is.”

To report pollution incidents members of the public can call the Environment Agency’s free 24 hour hotline 0800 80 70 60.