Environment Agency begin clean-up of oil in Northamptonshire watercourse next to A14
Environment Agency (EA) contractors will begin the clean-up of an oil spill in a Northamptonshire watercourse after being alerted to the pollution.
The agency attended the scene and used specialist booms to absorb the spill in an A14 drainage ditch close between Kettering and Thrapston.
‘Localised pollution’ has been caused but it is believed to be contained in the dual carriageway ditch.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “Following our attendance on Sunday when we deployed booms to contain the oil spillage, we have been working on a long-term solution with our partners.
“We have now instructed our contractors to begin a clean-up operation which will be taking place this week.
“Our team are also on-site today (Tuesday) and they will monitor the extent of the oil pollution and replenish any saturated oil booms.”
The EA are carrying out clean-up operations to ensure that water does not travel further downstream and impact wildlife and habitats.
They have said they will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that any ‘environmental damage is kept to a minimum’ and they will investigate who is responsible using evidence that could lead to prosecution.
The spokesman added: “We encourage anyone who wishes to report an environmental incident to call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 807060.”