Two oil spillages in Northampton not linked, Environment Agency says

The Environment Agency has told the Chronicle & Echo that the oil spillages that took place over the weekend in are two separate incidents.

On Saturday, environment experts launched their first investigation on how oil got into the River Nene, near the Carlsberg factory.

Eight hundred litres of oily water has since been removed from Dallington Brook, a tributary of the Nene.

A spokeswoman for the Enviroment Agency said: ““We are aware that some oil has entered the River Nene. We understand this has come from the Dallington Brook, a tributary of the Nene.

"Our contractors have now completed the clean-up in the Dallington Brook area, removing approximately 800 litres of oily water.

"If people spot any further signs of pollution they can report it on 0800 807060.”

A full clean-up is still underway at Billing Marina, the agency said today (Tuesday), after environment workers were deployed to a second spillage on Sunday, which is thought to be diesel.

The spokeswoman added: “We are aware of an oil spill at Billing Marina and are working with partners to minimise the impact on people and the environment.

"Interim measures are currently in place and a full clean-up operation will commence shortly.”

One narrowboat resident who did not wish to be named said today they have fears for the ducks and their chicks.

"You can see the rain [dropping on the oil], it looks like it's falling on plastic, it's horrible. It's very bad in the marina. It's affecting the wildlife.

"We would not like to have people coming up on to the embankment feeding the birds. There was somebody throwing food out for the birds trying to encourage them down not realising [the state of the water]."