Oil leak in Kennet and Avon Canal began yesterday (Mon), Environment Agency confirms

Town centre businessman Geoff Rose was the person to alert the organisation to the leak at around 3pm yesterday (Monday) after the smell of diesel caused him to notice the tell-tale sheen on the surface of the water by Northbrook Street.
Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News today, he said: “I’m more than aware of what pollution can do. I specialise in agricultural issues in insurance, so pollution is something that’s high up on my radar.”
The Environment Agency confirmed this afternoon (Tuesday), that teams had been paying regular visits to the site since it was reported to them at around 3pm yesterday.
A statement released by the organisation said: “The Environment Agency attended the Kennet and Avon canal in Newbury yesterday after reports of oil pollution.
“Environment officers found a sheen of iridescence on the surface of the water and strong odour, however there has been minimal impact to the environment.
“We continue to work with external partners to trace the oil and mitigate any impact to the environment.
“We have an officer on site as part of this process.”
The Newbury Weekly News was first alerted to the pollutant at around 11am this morning, by which time it had moved to the West Mills area, this morning at around 11am, by a local resident who was walking along the canal.