Transport for London Commissioner Andy Lord has apologised for ‘the dreadful incident and impact to the environment’ due to diesel spill at bus depot.
Video evidence shows the extensive leak [4,000 litres diesel] at the Arriva run garage in Thornton Heath that has been undergoing transformation works following a £4 million investment from UK Power Networks to turn their entire fleet green.
The Commissioner provided the update at the request of committee member and Liberal Democrats Councillor, Hina Bokhari OBE.
He said: “Firstly, I want to apologise on behalf of ourselves and the bus operator for the dreadful incident and the impact to the environment is something none of us would want.
“It was a diesel spill from a temporary tank, the temporary tank had been installed while electrification works were being completed at the depot.
“We don’t yet have the full recourse as to why the tank ruptured, action was taken very quickly, and a lot of the diesel was prevented from entering into the waste system.
“It didn’t flow, [as I understand it, I’m not an expert on the drainage or sewage system in the area], directly into the river it has entered into the water course through some other means.
“That is all subject to Environmental Agency investigation along with ourselves, the bus operator and Thames Water.
“The good news is the Environmental Agency stood down the incident on Tuesday [Feb 25] from a significant incident to being business as usual.
“They believe the impact to the river is not as significant as first feared, it appears to be from what we know one or two technical issues that have led to the tank failing but that will all come out in the investigation.”
The South East Rivers Trust is an independent environmental charity that works to bring rivers and their catchments back to life.
They provide an invaluable public service but does not receive any public money.
However a successful Crowdfunder has raised more than £25,000 and this will enable the installation of a ‘Early Warning’ system in collaboration with Kings College to detect pollution faster, pinpoint the worst-hit areas.
Data collected will help the ‘River Recovery’ and restore the Wandle’s natural defences, rebuilding habitats so the river can recover faster from future pollution.
The trust wrote on their Crowdfunder page: “While emergency teams are working to contain and remove as much diesel as possible, much of it will remain in the river with the potential to harm the fish, invertebrates, and plants that make the Wandle so special.
“But once the authorities pack up, the real work begins.”
Local Liberal Democrat Bobby Dean MP will be leading a debate on the ‘Pollution in the River Wandle’ in Westminster Hall on Wednesday afternoon at 4pm.
