main content Money down the drain - not a slick move

Pollution vandals have been condemned for threatening the wildlife in the lake at the ever-popular Kelsey Park. ‘Mechanics’ were seen by an eagle eyed resident who spotted engine oil being poured into a road drain which would be ‘washed’ into the River Beck and flow into the Kelsey Park lake. The Council are praising the vigilant Hayes Way resident who contacted the Street Services team to report the illegal incident which will cost hundreds of pounds in clean up costs.

“This was totally irresponsible and could have had serious consequences for wildlife. The prompt action of the local resident and the lack of rain has stopped this environmental damage. Our road drainage system is designed to remove water quickly from the highway. It is not designed or able to deal with pollutants which unchecked, would flow into local rivers” said Councillor George Taylor, Executive Councillor for the Environment..

Engine oil should always be recycled - even ‘foul sewers’ are not designed to cope with damaging pollutants. Engine oil can easily be recycled at either of the two household reuse and recycling centres in the borough. Residents would need to show their permits and visit either

• Waldo Road Reuse and Recycling Centre; or
• Churchfields Road Reuse and Recycling Centre.

Road drains (or gullies) are designed to take rainwater only. There are 35,000 gullies on roads across the borough that drain rainwater directly back to water sources such as rivers and groundwater. Each gully is cleaned and inspected by the Council’s Street Services team annually.

ENDS

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