Update On The River Wandle Oil Spillage

Mitcham and Morden

In February, around 4,000 litres of diesel leaked into the river from Thornton Heath Bus Garage. The multi-agency clean-up operation was swift and extensive, with substantial containment booms placed in the water to catch the diesel and absorbent materials also placed in the river to catch any remaining diesel on the surface.

However, despite these efforts, this spill was nothing short of an environmental disaster, hurting local wildlife and causing huge damage to the river’s fragile ecosystem. We need accountability for those responsible for the spill.

In early March, Siobhain spoke in Parliament to address the oil spill and raise concern at the length of time the investigation could take. We believe that the ‘polluter pays’, whereby those found responsible for polluting our rivers are made to pay fines that are then reinvested in the polluted water system. We will work to ensure those found guilty of this spillage are made to pay the costs necessary to help repair the Wandle.