Birds coated in oil after major diesel spill in River Wandle

Birds have been coated in oil after a diesel spill on a stretch of the river Wandle which has spread to a nature reserve.

Attempts are being made to clean up about 4,000 litres of diesel which reportedly leaked from a bus depot storage tank in Thornton Heath, Croydon, yesterday.

The spillage entered the river and surface water drains and spread along the chalk stream, impacting wildlife and water quality from Wallington to Wandsworth.

Birds have been coated in oil, and were seen struggling to clean themselves.

The Watermeads Nature Reserve in Mitcham, owned by the National Trust, has also been affected by the pollution.

Merton council said London Fire Brigade (LFB) crews were on site yesterday afternoon to contain the spill and Thames Water was trying to clean the waterway.

Emergency teams from the Environment Agency are also working to contain the pollution.

Bobby Dean Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington said: “The community has been working so hard over the years to clean up the River Wandle and so it’s devastating to see it hit by such a major pollution incident.

“Wildlife is already suffering and who knows what damage it will be doing to the fragile eco-system along the waterway.

“This should never have happened and those responsible must be held to account. I am engaged with the Environment Agency and demanding urgent answers on how this occurred, a clear plan to clean this up and to make sure this never happens again.”

People have been asked by Merton council not to touch the water, allow pets into the water or feed wildlife in the waterway to avoid contamination.

The Environment Agency will lead the investigation and the council will provide updates, a spokesman said. 

Pictured top: Birds have been covered in oil after a diesel spill in the River Wandle (Picture: Bobby Dean MP)