The Clitheroe Thursday, July '13th, 200iS ■' ' '--


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Help us track down this water polluter


by Faiza Afzaal


HUNDREDS of tro u t , eels and other fish and insects have been killed by pollution in a Ribble Valley brook. Barrow Brook, the stream th a t runs


behind Com Mill Mews, in Whalley, was turned into a “river of death” on Sunday evening after dozens of big and small fish were discovered floating on the surface. The deaths of more than 500 eels, trout


and other river fish and insects have been blamed on an unknown substance, which leaked into the brook. Although the alarm was raised on Sun­


day evening by a nearby farmer who noticed the brook had turned milky- white in colour, officers from the Environ­ ment Agency were not able to arrive at the scene until Monday morning due to bad light. A major investigation has this week


been launched by officials at the agency, who believe someone illegally emptied a tanker into a road drain on the A59 - about 300 yards north of the A671 round­ about - which caused the deadly pollu­ tion in the waterway. Mr Harvey Brown (37), of Mitton


Road, Whalley, who owns horses near the site of the stream, was one of the first people to spot the poisoned fish. He has been warned to keep the horses


away from the river until it is given the all-clear. He described the whole incident as


“devastating”. Speaking to the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, he said: “I t’s a real shame. All the river fish and insect life have been completely wiped out. This time last year there were thousands of eels, brown trout, wild trout, perch, water voles and a whole host of wildlife includ­ ing herons and ducks - the brook just seems deserted now. “I cannot let the horses out on the field


imtil the water is cleared. I t will probably be next year before we see the fish retimi to the brook.” Scientists are continuing to analyse the


fish and water samples in the agency’s laboratory and immediate steps have been taken to limit any further damage. Farmers have been warned to keep live­


stock well away from Barrow Brook. Meanwhile, officers have issued a plea


to witnesses, who may have spotted the polluter emptying the tanker some time over the weekend, to come forward. A spokesman for the Environment


Agency said: “Emptying tankers like this, or pouring any polluting substance down an ordinary road drain, can obviously cause serious problems. “If anyone saw or witnessed a tanker


being emptied into road drains on the A59 or anywhere else, we would urge


them to get in touch with us. “They shouldn't approach the tanker


or speak to the driver, just try to make a note of the registration number and any other details - such as the time and date, location and any company name or logo on the vehicle. She added: “We would also be keen to


hear from anybody who has paid a con­ tractor to take away any sort of greyish liquid waste recently.


“This might help us to trace contrac­


tors who could have been transporting liquid waste at the time of the incident.” I t is believed that the polluting dis­


charge has now stopped and there has been no indication that the pollution had caused further problems downstream in the River Calder. The Environment Agency has a 24-


hour hotline. Anyone who spots pollution, illegal tipping of waste, fish in distress and danger or witnesses any environmen­ tal crime, is urged to call the agency’s freephone number on 0800 807060. Pictures by Mr Harvey Brown.


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Affordable homes by next year?


M U C H - N E E D E D affordable housing should be available to local people in Clitheroe by next sum­ mer. St Vincent’s Housing


Association is developing 22 rented and shared own­ ership homes on the old Kirkmoor Road Depot site in Clitheroe. The two and three bed­


room shared ownership family homes are primari­ ly aimed a t first time buy­ ers, either living or work­ ing in the Clitheroe area. The homes are targeted at families, which have annu­ al gross incomes of between £27,500 and £36,100. Buyers would need to


find 50% of the purchase price of the homes with a rent payable on the bal­ ance. The full price of the houses is between £149,000 and £189,000, with buyers therefore needing to gain a m o r t­ gage or have savings of between £74,500 to £94,500. The rest of the site is


being developed with ap a r tm en ts for ren t, which will be allocated to those on the local housing


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Edisford Rd, Clitheroe, Lancs BB7 SLA Tel: 01200 442188 Fax: 01200 444535 Email: sp©irt@r©efield.eo-yk Website: www-roefieid.eo-yk


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