Diesel spills into River Chelmer (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Diesel spills into River Chelmer

3:23pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in News

AUTHORITIES are investigating how a quantity of diesel spilled into the River Chelmer.

A spillage of red diesel has leaked into the River Chelmer in Chelmsford town centre today, Wednesday, leaving a strong smell and rainbow film on the surface of the water.

The Environment Agency has traced the source to an outlet pipe near Bishops Hall Lane and is investigating with Anglian Water to trace where it has come from within the drainage system.

A boom has been placed across the outfall to stop anymore oil getting into the river.

So far the diesel has had a limited environmental impact, although the Environment Agency is still monitoring the situation.

Matt Butcher, Environment Agency team leader, said: “If anyone has lost any diesel in the past few days in Chelmsford please call us on 0800 807060.

“We encourage anyone who has a spillage to call us as soon as possible, 24 hours a day.

“The sooner we know about it the more we can do to minimise the impact.”