Sewage leaking into canal

WORK has started to repair a sewage pipe which is leaking into a stretch of disused canal at Warrington.
United Utilities discovered the leak in a stretch of the Runcorn and Latchford Canal near Chester Road after the alarm was raised by local residents who noticed a mysterious grey film on the water, along with floating black “blobs.”
They notified the Environment Agency who, in turn, alerted United Utilities.
To repair the leaking pipe, a section of the canal has had to be drained and part of the Trans Pennine Trail between Chester Road and the Twelve Arches railway bridge has had to be closed.
Nearby resident John Taylor, a former member of the borough council, said: “The workmen have had to drain a section of the canal so they can get down to the pipe to repair it. Apparently, the repair work will only take a short time – it’s getting down to the pipe that takes the time.
“The Trans Pennine Trail has been closed for safety reasons because of the heavy plant in use.
“We are hoping the council – which owns the canal – will take this as an opportunity to clean up this stagnant stretch of water, encourage wild-life and improve the overall environment for the benefit of all.
“There are a few ducks and other wildlife in the area, but they seem to have been disappearing in recent times – probably because of the pollution.”
The Runcorn and Latchford Canal dates from 1803 but has been closed for many years. Only a few sections remain in water.