Toxic chemical spill at Walsall Canal declared a major incident

A toxic chemical leak has occurred in a canal in Walsall and the incident has been declared a major incident.

The public have been warned to avoid the 12-mile network of canals and towpaths from the centre of the borough to neighbouring Birmingham and instead take the interconnecting waterways through Wednesbury, Tipton and West Bromwich.

Walsall Council leader Gary Perry confirmed the substance was sodium cyanide, which can cause convulsions, vomiting and loss of consciousness.

“We understand the public’s concerns – and of course we want to do everything we can to take the right precautions to protect individuals,” he said.

The committee said sodium cyanide dissolves in water and can have serious adverse health effects on people who come into direct contact with it, posing a potential risk to both humans and their pets.

Dozens of dead fish could be seen in parts of the canal.

A Walsall Council spokesman said anyone who comes into contact with the water and becomes unwell should seek medical advice through the NHS 111 service or call 999 in an emergency.

The restricted area markings stretch from Walsall Lock to the borough’s Rushall/Ryders Green Locks and Perry Barr Lock in Birmingham.

Mr Perry said it was too early to speculate how the substance had entered the waterway.

When the leak was discovered on Monday, the liquid had flowed directly into a section of the canal from Spinks Bridge in Walsall to Birchils Street Bridge.

Mr Perry said there would be an ongoing investigation into the spill and that findings would be updated regularly daily as more information became known.

He said water quality testing would be carried out, adding that multiple partner agencies were involved in responding to major incidents.

Mr Perry explained that once the impacts were more evident and it was known what needed to be done to ensure the canal and surrounding towpaths were safe, there would be less precautionary measures.

One resident said he wanted to see those responsible pay for the environmental damage, telling the BBC: “I think (the chemical spill) is disgusting – there should be a hefty fine.”

The UK Health and Safety Agency (UKHSA) describes sodium and potassium cyanide as white crystalline solids with a faint almond odor.

Both are used in industry for metal cleaning, electroplating and extraction, as well as in photography. They are also used in the manufacture of other chemicals.

According to the agency, exposure to cyanide salts can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, nervousness, confusion, changes in heart rate and drowsiness.

It can also cause loss of consciousness, convulsions, vomiting, and low blood pressure.