'It's amazing to be open again' - Poisoned Walsall canal reopens more than 10 months after devastating toxic chemical leak
A stretch of canal system in Walsall has fully reopened following almost a year of closure due to a highly toxic chemical leak.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Walsall Canal was suddenly closed in August last year following a chemical spill that leaked more than 4,000 litres of dangerous sodium cyanide into the water system.
The spill, which was caused by metal finishing group, Anochrome Ltd, saw a major incident declared in the town, with more than 12 miles of waterway being originally closed to fishers, boaters and walkers.
Organisations including the Canal and River Trust, the Environmental Agency (EA), West Midlands Police and Walsall Council all worked together to mitigate the effects of the major spill, however, the spill had already heavily affected the local animal population, killing more than 90kg of fish.
Now, almost a year after the original spill, the waterway has reopened, with the Canal and River Trust hosting a fanfare event and ribbon cutting to mark its opening.
The reopened comes following months of work by the charity's volunteers, with the group working alongside the EA to ensure the pollution is contained and removed.
