Environment Agency tackling oil pollution and tracing source

THE Environment Agency believes oil found in a stream in Malvern may have been dumped there deliberately.

Staff found the oil in a stream just off Sandys Road, near Spring Lane Industrial Estate, while they were carrying out work in the area yesterday morning (Fri 8).

They were concerned at the oil running into the nearby Madresfield Brook and used pads and two large booms to isolate the oil and absorb the oil.

The source of the oil has not yet been determined.

But Dave Throup, Environment Agency manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said it did not seem as though any more was entering the stream, leading him to suspect it was probably dumped there.

“It is not a huge amount of oil, we’re probably talking about tens of litres. We’re told it has been there for a couple of days so we would like to hear from anyone who has seen anything suspicious in the area during that time.”

Mr Throup said staff would monitor the stream over the weekend before deciding if further action is required.

“Parts of the watercourse may have to be dug out depending on how bad it is,” he said.

Anyone with information regarding the oil can call the Environment Agency’s incident hotline on 0800 807060.