Arriva bus depot diesel storage tank leak in South London is responsible for polluting the river Wandle and covering wildlife in oil an exclusive video confirms.
A storage tank leak is responsible for the spill of 4,000 litres that entered the drainage system and later dumped into the River Waddle.
The clip shows fuel spraying out the rear of the tank and rapidly flowing down the road towards rain water drainage on Whitehall Road.
UK Power Networks said the investment will enable Arriva to run 109 new electric buses from the depot, following energisation of new electricity infrastructure which was funded, fast-tracked and built through the Networks’ Green Recovery Fund.
Arriva have confirmed they are working closely with Transport for London and they are taking the lead in investigation.
Although the local government body would not confirm the spill happened at Thornton Heath, TfL said that there is no impact to buses at the garage as they can refuel elsewhere while the investigation continues.
Lib Dem MP Bobby Dean has written to Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs asking for his help to hold those responsible to account.
He also invited Mr Reed to meet on the banks of the river to see the damage for himself.
Dr Jack Hogan, an expert for the South East Rivers Trust, spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service and he said that the pollution is potentially the worst he has seen almost 20 years.
He told how the 4,000 litres of diesel that polluted the river on Tuesday (February 18) could have long-lasting consequences.
He said: “It’s devastating, but we won’t know the extent of it yet. This damage is not just measured in days or weeks but potentially years.
“Judging by what we have seen, this is potentially the worst incident since 2007.”
A TfL spokesperson said: “Protecting the environment is fundamental to everything we do and we are working closely with the Environment Agency, the London Fire Brigade and Merton Council to limit any environmental impact.
“Any pollution into London’s waterways is completely unacceptable and we will play our part in tackling river pollution both from roads we control and our vehicle fleet. A full investigation is underway into what happened.”
A spokesperson for Merton Council said: “The Environment Agency (EA) – leading the response to the oil spill affecting the River Wandle – continues to work with Thames Water to clean the water system and to also capture oil before it makes further progress in the river.
“The EA, RSPB and National Trust are monitoring effects on wildlife, including a small number of wildfowl which have been contaminated. Fish have been so far unaffected.
“Residents are reminded to keep away from the contamination and to prevent pets entering the water.
“Investigations into the spill are ongoing.”
