Investigation into huge oil spill in Northampton still ongoing months after swans die

The Environment Agency has been collecting evidence for nearly three months into how a diesel spillage led to the death of swans on Billing Marina
By Carly Roberts
Published 8th Jul 2020, 11:54 BST
Updated 8th Jul 2020, 11:58 BST
It's still not known how much oil was in the marina before the clean-up operation took place in April.It's still not known how much oil was in the marina before the clean-up operation took place in April.
It's still not known how much oil was in the marina before the clean-up operation took place in April.

In April, The RSPCA and Animals in Need, in Little Irchester, were tasked with rescuing 85 water fowl, 42 of which were swans, off Billing marina before they were sent to be cleaned up.

Their efforts were prompted by the sad death of five swans, two ducklings, a grebe and goslings. Two of those swans died on their way to the Swan Sanctuary in Middlesex.

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Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was first called to the scene on Sunday, April 26 to reports of a diesel leak in Crow Lane.

Oil was removed from the waterbirds to enhance the natural waterproofing in their plumage.Oil was removed from the waterbirds to enhance the natural waterproofing in their plumage.
Oil was removed from the waterbirds to enhance the natural waterproofing in their plumage.

When they arrived at 7.40am they told the Chron that they repaired broken 'nozzles' on a diesel storage tank nearby.

Almost three months later the Environment Agency still has not got to the bottom of what happened but their investigations with the RSPCA and Public Health England continue.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “A full clean-up was undertaken as quickly as possible to minimise the impacts on nature and wildlife, and we have since been carrying out a full and comprehensive investigation into the incident.

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“We have gathered evidence and spoken to witnesses, and we will be able to give a further update once we’re ready to take next steps.”

Anyone with information about who dumped the oil should call The Environment Agency’s 24-hour hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

Related topics:The Environment AgencyRSPCANorthamptonNorthamptonshire Fire and Rescue ServiceAnimals

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